A new report by the United States surgeon general has found that parents are more likely than non-parents to experience severe and prolonged stress. The report indicated that 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month, compared to 20% of other adults. The unique stressors faced by parents include common demands of parenting, financial strain, time demands, concerns about children’s health and safety, as well as parental isolation and loneliness. Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, called for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents, and outlined policies, programs, and individual actions to support parents and caregivers.
The report’s findings align with mental health indicators in Canada, where experts also see high rates of burnout among parents. A report by Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) found that anxiety levels were particularly high for younger Canadian parents, especially those younger than 29. LGBTQ2 and newcomer parents also have higher levels of burnout than the general population, possibly due to social stigma or social isolation. Lack of access to care or support was a major factor for many young mothers, especially during the pandemic, leading to challenges in proper health, mental health, and family support.
Younger parents under 29 with older children above the age of 10 tend to experience higher levels of depression compared to parents between the ages of 30 and 44. The report highlighted that the pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with specific concerns arising due to the cost-of-living crisis. As inflation surged in 2023, rates of burnout among parents started to increase again, especially for those who cannot afford to pay bills. Food insecurity among young parents is also a significant concern, with high levels impacting family nutrition and overall development. Governments are urged to address the cost of groceries and work on improving food security to support young parents.
Dr. Murthy recommended policy changes and expanded community programs to support parents and caregivers, including access to paid time off for sick children, affordable child care, reliable mental health care, and initiatives that promote social connection and community support. The report emphasized the need for a culture shift to value mental health support for caregivers and parents. It also highlighted the challenges faced by LGBTQ2 and newcomer parents, as well as the specific issues around lack of support and the cost-of-living crisis affecting young parents. Experts stress the importance of addressing these issues through targeted policies and programs to better support the mental health and well-being of parents and caregivers.
