Parents Under Pressure

Surgeon general report addresses the mental health and wellbeing of parents

August 29, 2024

About half of U.S. parents report that they face overwhelming levels of stress during the week that hinders their ability to function, according to a new advisory from the U.S. surgeon general.

The public health statement is the latest from the surgeon general to draw attention to critical health issues.

“Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “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.”

Here's what you need to know:

• Stressful findings:  During 2023, a third of parents reported high level of stress. That’s compared to 20 percent of other adults.
  • About 41 percent of parents report that most days they are so stressed they cannot function.
  • About 48 percent report that most days their stress is completely overwhelming.
• Key contributors:  The report highlights several sources of stress including financial strain, time demands, children’s health and safety, isolation and loneliness, cultural pressures, and technology and social media.
• Action steps:  The report notes several key action steps for providers, including prioritizing preventive care, screening for mental health conditions, and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships between primary care and mental health professionals.
• Previous advisories:  The new advisory is the latest government warning on an emerging public health crisis (Firearm Violence, Loneliness and Isolation, Social Media and Youth Mental Health, Youth Mental Health, Health Worker Well-Being).
• Quotable:  “With this advisory, I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents,” he said. “I am also outlining policies, programs, and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers.”

The full advisory is available to be reviewed online.