SALT LAKE CITY — While the vast majority of Utah parents believe their children are comfortable sharing their emotions, new data released by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) suggests a starkly different reality for the state’s youth.
According to a parent-child relationship survey conducted by the department, 93% of parents believe their children feel comfortable expressing their feelings. However, cross-referenced data from the most recent Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) survey indicates that communication channels are often closed when they are needed most.
The research found that 38.8% of “severely distressed” students—those reporting feelings of hopelessness, deep sadness, or suicidal ideation—did not talk to anyone about their struggles. Among the distressed students who did seek help, only 41.8% chose to talk to a parent.
“When parents perceive communication is strong, but teens report the opposite, there is a breakdown that needs to be addressed,” said Nathan Malan, a DHHS epidemiologist. “These survey results serve as a powerful reminder that connection is not just about presence, but that teens should feel safe communicating their feelings to a parent or trusted adult.”
The discrepancy extends to the frequency of meaningful conversations. While Utah parents rated youth mental health as a high priority—scoring it a 5.75 on a scale of 1 to 7—those concerns rarely translate into dialogue. When asked about their three most recent conversations with their teenagers, only 5% of parents reported discussing feelings or emotions.
The findings highlight a “perception gap” where high levels of parental concern do not necessarily result in open, vulnerability-based communication at home.
In response to the findings, DHHS has launched the “CHAT” public awareness campaign. The initiative, part of Gov. Spencer Cox’s “Built Here” program, aims to provide parents with tools to build trust and strengthen behavioral health foundations.
The campaign will utilize television, billboards, and social media to direct caregivers to resources at letschat.utah.gov and its Spanish-language counterpart, hablemos.utah.gov. Officials say the goal is to move beyond superficial interactions and ensure Utah children have a strong foundation of support as they navigate adolescence.