Blog: Parents Under Pressure

Welcome to the Next Adventure Counseling blog. Today we are connecting with you with reflections on the recent Surgeon General’s Advisory on Mental Health and Parents, “Parents Under Pressure”. 

What are the concerns identified in the Surgeon General’s Advisory?

Over the past decade, parents have been consistently more likely to report experiencing high levels of stress as compared to other adults. “When stress is severe or prolonged, it can have a deleterious effect; 41% of parents say that most days they are so stressed they cannot function and 48% say that most days the stress is completely overwhelming compared to other adults (20% and 26%, respectively” (p. 9) The Surgeon General’s advisory identified that increased parental stress can lead to a decrease in parental mental health. Decreased parental mental health directly impacts the well-being of children.

The advisory identifies seven primary stressors that are significantly impacting parent’s mental health. The stressors are: 

• Financial Strain

• Time Demands

• Children’s Health

• Children’s Safety

• Parental Isolation and Loneliness

• Technology and Social Media

• Cultural Expectations for Children’s Futures
  

Further, the advisory finds that excessive chronic stress and environmental factors can increase the risk of mental health conditions for parents. In cases of acute family disruption: divorce, separation, parental incarceration, or separation due to immigration policies the stressors experienced by parents can be further exacerbated. Also, it is important to see and understand how different family structures such as LGBTQI+ families, single-parent families, foster families, multigenerational families are affected differently by stressors. 

The impact of parental mental health on children, families, and society as a whole is significant. It can influence the emotional climate, responsiveness, and consistency of caregiving at home, all of which are crucial for a child’s emotional and cognitive development. Children of parents with mental health conditions may face heightened risks for depression and anxiety. One study found that children of a caregiver who reported poor mental health were four times more likely to have poor general health and two times more likely to have mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders. These children were also prone to cognitive, academic, and interpersonal struggles. The Surgeon General”s Advisory states that addressing the stressors that are potentially affecting parent’s mental health is vital and needs to be a priority for policymakers, communities, and in the workplace.

What recommendations are made in the Surgeon General’s Report?

Simply put, caregivers need care, too.

1. We must cultivate a culture for parents and caregivers to thrive. It is time to value and respect time spent parenting on par with time spent at a paying job. 

2. While parents and caregivers may have the primary responsibility for raising children, they shouldn’t have to do it entirely on their own. Community involvement through friendship, practical assistance, and emotional support are vital to the well-being of parents and caregivers and beneficial for children as well.

3. We need to talk openly about the stress and struggles that come with parenting.  Open dialogues about parenting challenges can combat feelings of  shame and guilt and cultivate mutual support.

4. We must foster a culture of connection among parents to combat loneliness and isolation. Creating opportunities for parents to come together, share experiences and ideas, and support each other can strengthen parental well-being.
   

Full Article: Surgeon General's Advisory: Parents Under Pressure

Next Adventure Counseling and Consulting is Here to Help You

At Next Adventure Counseling and Consulting, we have licensed therapists who specialize in supporting parents and families. Next Adventure’s therapists see clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, divorce, single-parenting, and adoption. Our therapists are trained in supporting LGBTQAI+ families, parenting children through all developmental stages, and supporting mothers with their perinatal mental health. We work with our clients to help mitigate the impact of stress, support life balance, access resources, and promote emotional well-being for all.

Please reach out to us if you are a parent experiencing high levels of stress, have concerns about your mental health, have parenting questions, or if you are desiring connection and support through your parenting journey. We are here to help you.