Parental Mental Health & Well-Being

The parental mental health & well-being advisory cover sheet, titled “Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents”.

Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents 

This Surgeon General's Advisory highlights the stressors that impact the mental health and well-being of parents and caregivers, the critical link between parental mental health and children's long-term well-being, and the urgent need to better support parents, caregivers, and families.

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Key Takeaways from the Advisory

photo collage with written text that says “There’s never enough time!”

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

According to 2023 data:

  • 33% of parents report high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults.
  • 48% of parents say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to 26% among other adults.

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

These stressors include, but are not limited to:

  • Financial strain, economic instability, and poverty 
  • Time demands
  • Children’s health 
  • Children’s safety
  • Parental isolation and loneliness
  • Technology and social media
  • Cultural pressures and children’s futures

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

Circumstances like family or community violence, poverty and racism and discrimination, among other circumstances, can increase the risk for mental health conditions. Further, the mental health conditions experienced by parents and caregivers can manifest differently based on the family structure, among other factors.

We must do more to better support parents and caregivers

The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society. Amid a youth mental health crisis, the work of raising a child is just as valuable as the work performed in a paid job and critically important when it comes to the impact on the future of society.

How can we take action?

The well-being of parents and caregivers is a public health priority, and we must do more to protect their mental health. The Advisory offers actionable recommendations on how to support parents and caregivers through policy changes, community programs, and individual actions.

Ways to act based on your role

  1. Promote and expand funding for programs that support parents and caregivers and their families.
  2. Establish a national paid family and medical leave program and ensure all workers have paid sick time.
  3. Invest in social infrastructure at the local level to bring parents and caregivers together.
  4. Address the economic and social barriers that contribute to the disproportionate impact of mental health conditions for certain parents and caregivers.
  5. Ensure parents and caregivers have access to comprehensive and affordable high-quality mental health care.
  6. Promote visitation initiatives and reentry programming to support currently and formerly incarcerated parents and caregivers, as well as their families.

  1. Expand policies and programs that support the well-being of parents and caregivers in the workplace.
  2. Implement training for managers on stress management and work-life harmony.
  3. Provide access to comprehensive and affordable high-quality mental health care.

  1. Foster open dialogue about parental stress, mental health, and well-being in culturally appropriate ways.
  2. Equip parents and caregivers with resources to address parental stressors and connect to crucial support services.
  3. Create opportunities to cultivate supportive social connections among parents and caregivers.
  4. Elevate the voices of parents and caregivers to shape community programs and investments.
  5. Strengthen and establish school-based support programs.

  1. Prioritize preventive care for stress management and mental health. 
  2. Screen parents and caregivers for mental health conditions. 
  3. Foster partnerships with community organizations that provide support and resources for parents and caregivers. 
  4. Provide additional support for parents who are at a higher risk for mental health conditions.
  5. Support interdisciplinary partnerships between primary care and mental health professionals.

  1. Conduct studies to better understand, prevent, and improve mental health conditions in parents and caregivers, including:
    1. Qualitative analyses, mixed methods research, and community-based participatory research to understand the experiences of parents/caregivers and their mental health challenges.
    2. Development and evaluation of effective prevention strategies, assessment tools, and interventions that improve mental health outcomes of parents and caregivers.
    3. Development and evaluation of service delivery strategies for improving access to appropriate mental health interventions and services for parents and caregivers.
  2. Develop and establish parent-specific standardized measures of mental health and well-being.
  3. Improve mental health data collection and integration.
  4. Prioritize research among diverse parent and caregiver populations and family structures.

  1. Reach out and offer practical support with household or everyday tasks.
  2. Connect with parents and caregivers in your life on a regular basis.
  3. Learn about mental health challenges parents and caregivers may face.

  1. Remember, caring for yourself is a key part of how you care for your family.
  2. Nurture connections with other parents and caregivers.
  3. Explore opportunities to secure comprehensive insurance coverage for yourself and your family.
  4. Empower yourself with information about mental health care.
  5. Recognize how mental health challenges manifest and seek help when needed.

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Additional Resources

If you are experiencing an emergency, get immediate support (available 24/7):

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call 988)

  • Call 988 for crisis support
  • Text 988 for crisis support
  • Chat with trained crisis counselors at 988lifeline.org

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (HRSA)

  • Provides 24/7 confidential support in English or Spanish if you are pregnant, a new mom, or a loved one of an expecting or new mom facing a mental health challenge.
  • Call or text the free Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (852-6262).
  • For more information, visit here

ACF: Mental Health Resources

Provides resources (i.e., websites, videos, webinars, and toolkits) for parents and families to address mental health, trauma, and substance use disorder.

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Resources for Parents and Caregivers

A list of resources for parents and caregivers to help support their and their children’s mental health and well-being.

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How Right Now 

Provides a variety of resources and tips to help individuals and families cope with address mental health issues and substance use disorder.

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CDC Mental Health Resources 

Provides tools to help build resilience and cope with challenging situations.

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How to Reduce Stress

Provides information and recommendations of simple, proven ways for parents and caregivers to manage stress, use relaxation techniques, and understand the importance of self-care.

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The Parent Support Network

Provides free local and online support meetings for any parent or guardian concerned about their kids (ages 1-25) who struggle with anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, or other emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.

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Mental Health First Aid

Offers training courses for family members, friends and peers on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges and offer support.

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Content created by Office of the Surgeon General
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