U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has released a Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, calling for better support for parents, caregivers, and families.
The advisory highlights the heightened stressors parents and caregivers face—financial strain and economic instability, time demands, concerns over their children’s health and safety, parental isolation and loneliness, challenges managing technology and social media, and cultural pressures. This excessive stress not only increases the parent’s risk of mental health conditions but also has a profound impact on the children and the entire family. Mental health conditions also disproportionately affect some parents and caregivers, including those who face circumstances such as family or community violence, poverty, and racism and discrimination.
“Something has to change. Supporting parents and caregivers will require a series of thoughtful policy changes and expanded community programs that will help ensure parents and caregivers can get time off to be with a sick child, secure affordable childcare, access reliable mental health care, and benefit from places and initiatives that support social connection and community,” wrote Dr. Murthy. “It will also require us to rethink cultural norms around parenting. Part of that will involve shifting how we value parenting. The work of raising a child is work, no less valuable than the work performed in a paid job and of extraordinary value when it comes to the impact on the future of society.”
Dr. Murthy concluded the advisory with specific action steps the American public can take in this shared responsibility, outlining specific recommendations for national, territorial, state, local and Tribal governments; employers; communities, their organizations, and their schools; health and social service systems; researchers; and family and friends.
National, territorial, state, local and Tribal governments
Among his recommendations, Dr. Murthy called for expanded funding of programs that support parents and caregivers and their families, such as child care subsidies and child income tax credits, universal preschool, early childhood education programs, and early childhood home visiting programs; the establishment of a national paid family and medical leave program; and strengthened public and private insurance coverage of mental health care so that all parents and caregivers have access to quality, affordable mental health care.
Employers
Employers can better support parents and caregivers by expanding policies and programs such as paid parental, medical, and sick leave; flexible and fair work schedules that support work-life balance; and access to childcare either in the community or on-site.
They also have an opportunity to provide training for managers on stress management and work-life harmony, as well as providing access to comprehensive and affordable mental health care.
Communities, community organizations, and schools
Community members and organizations can play a key role in opening the dialogue around parental stress, mental health, and wellbeing and removing the associated stigma through faith leaders, educators, and health care professionals.
Additionally, community leaders and organizations can cultivate supportive social connection among parents and caregivers, as well as implement school-based support programs.
Health and social service systems
Professionals in the health and social service systems should prioritize preventive care through education on stress management, mental health, and trauma-informed care principles.
Screening parents and caregivers for mental health conditions, fostering partnerships with community organizations that provide support and resources for parents and caregivers, and recognizing those who are at a higher risk of mental health conditions are all key steps in supporting the parents and caregivers throughout the community.
Researchers
Researchers can conduct studies that focus on mental health conditions in parents and caregivers, establish parent-specific standardized measures of mental health and wellbeing, improve data collection and integration related to mental health, and prioritize research among diverse parent and caregiver populations.
Family and friends
Family and friends can increase support by offering practical support, such as helping around the house, providing childcare, or running errands. It’s also important to make a concerted effort to connect with the parents and caregivers in your life regularly. Becoming informed on mental health challenges that parents and caregivers may face is also an important step in noticing when a parent or caregiver may need help from a health care professional.
“Raising children is sacred work,” wrote Dr. Murthy. “It should matter to all of us. And the health and well-being of those who are caring for our children should matter to us as well.”
Click here for the full advisory.