U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents: A Call to Action for Communities and Care Systems

Hightlights: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Affecting Parents Through Prevention and Home Visiting Programs

·      Parents consistently report experiencing high levels of stress compared to other adults

·      Parents and caregivers experience a multitude of unique stressors from raising children

·      Mental health conditions disproportionately affect some parents and caregivers, reflecting broader social drivers of health

·      We must do more to better support parents and caregivers

·      By spotlighting the importance of home visiting programs and prevention strategies, we can highlight practical solutions that make a significant difference in the lives of parents and caregivers.

Though often overlooked, the mental health of parents and caregivers is crucial for the well-being of our communities. Recognizing this, the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently released an advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents. The advisory highlights the urgent need to better support parents, caregivers and families to help our communities thrive.

Over the last decade, parents have been consistently more likely to report high levels of stress compared to other adults. This translates to 33% of parents reported experiencing high stress levels in the past month, compared to 20% of other adults. When this stress becomes severe or prolonged, it can harm the mental health of parents and caregivers. This, in turn, affects the well-being of their children. Children of parents with mental health conditions are at a heightened risk for symptoms of depression and anxiety, and they may face earlier onset, recurrence and prolonged functional impairment from mental health conditions.

Dr. Murthy, himself a father of two, understands these pressures firsthand. “Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society. Yet parents and caregivers today face tremendous pressures, from familiar stressors such as worrying about their kids’ health and safety and financial concerns, to new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, and an epidemic of loneliness that has hit young people the hardest,” he said.

The Importance of Supporting Parents and Caregivers

There are about 63 million parents living with children under the age of 18 in the United States, alongside millions of other caregivers who hold the primary responsibility for caring for children. (Some back-of-the-envelope math means this roughly translates to about 1.65 million parents living with children under the age of 18 in Virginia.) This population faces a range of unique stressors, including:

·      the demands of parenting

·      financial strain

·      time demands

·      concerns about children's health and safety

·      parental isolation and loneliness

·      difficulty managing technology and social media

·      cultural pressures.

Additionally, some parents and caregivers face disproportionate challenges due to circumstances such as family or community violence, poverty, racism and discrimination.

Parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health and future of society. To better support parents, we need policy changes and expanded community programs. This includes ensuring parents and caregivers have access to paid time off to care for a sick child, affordable childcare, reliable mental health care, and places and initiatives that support social connection and community.

How Home Visiting and Prevention Programs Can Help

Home visiting programs and other preventive measures, such as family resource centers and parenting support groups, can play pivotal roles in addressing the mental health needs of parents. For instance, home visiting programs such as CHIP of Virginia, Healthy Families Virginia and Parents as Teachers offer personalized support directly in the homes of families, providing education, resources and emotional support. They can help identify early signs of stress or mental health concerns and connect parents with appropriate services before issues escalate.

Research has shown that home visiting programs can reduce parental stress, improve parenting skills, and enhance child development outcomes. By providing consistent support and education, these programs can empower parents, reduce isolation and build resilience. Moreover, they help create a network of support that extends beyond the home, fostering connections within the community and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

A Shift in Culture, Policies and Programs

The Surgeon General’s advisory calls for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents. It emphasizes the need for culture, policy and program changes to ensure all parents and caregivers can thrive. This includes shifting societal norms to foster a culture that values, supports and empowers parents and caregivers, addressing the stressors that can impact their mental health and well-being.

The advisory builds on efforts to ensure families have the support they need by advocating for increased access to paid family leave, improved early childhood education and childcare, and investments in mental health care.

Taking Action: How Communities Can Support Parents

The advisory provides recommendations for several stakeholders who can help reduce stress for parents and better support their mental health and well-being. These stakeholders include national, territorial, state, local and tribal governments; employers; communities, community organizations and schools; health and social service systems and professionals; researchers; family and friends; and parents and caregivers themselves.

To truly support parents, we must create a comprehensive approach that integrates policy changes, community support and preventive measures like home visiting programs. By doing so, we can help alleviate the pressures on parents, promote mental health and well-being, and ultimately build stronger, healthier communities.

Bottom Line

The mental health of parents is foundational to the well-being of our children and society. With the release of this advisory, the U.S. Surgeon General is urging us all to take action to better support parents. By investing in policies, programs, and preventive measures like home visiting, we can help ensure that every parent and caregiver has the support they need to thrive.

Let's work together to nurture a society that values and supports the mental health of parents and caregivers, for the benefit of all.