How does stress from parenting affect mental health? Even the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy knows that parents are stressed. He recently stated that 50% of parents feel “overwhelming stress” compared to 25% of adults without children. It is important because, “We know that the well being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the wellbeing of their children,” remarked the Surgeon General in his recent advisory. So what’s to be done?
Measuring Up the Stressors
When you add together all the stressors of today’s parents—finances, inflation, crime, and all the worries around social media and its effect on young people and teens—it is no wonder parents are stressed. Social media dangers are a relatively new issue and most parents are aware of how it can affect their kids. Bullying and sexual predators are just two such dangers.
They worry they are not measuring up to their peers or to their own parents. These feelings of guilt can lead to depression. Many of today’s parents both work to make ends meet and then they come home to care for children and sometimes their own parents. A parent can lose quality time with their spouse, lose needed sleep, and have no time for themselves to de-stress. Their parental demands are endless.
A Real Public Health Concern
Mental health challenges of parents are a real public health concern so stated the Surgeon General. Anxiety and depression felt by parents is felt by their children. You can try to hide it, but it gets communicated in multiple ways.
A child’s healthy development depends on the parent. It is hard to give care to a child when you are depressed, worried, or lonely.
Contact Colony Care Behavioral Health in Massachusetts for help if you are experiencing stress as a parent.
Moving Toward Parenting as a Priority
The Surgeon General is pushing for our society to make parenting a priority for the reasons already stated.
Some suggestions include the following:
- Paid family and medical leave programs
- Access to mental health programs
- Flexible work schedules from employers
You Are Not Alone
It’s easy to think you are the only one feeling overwhelmed by the demands of parenting. Of course this is not true. However, the following is true; a child’s healthy development depends on the parents.
- Find a social support system.
- Talk with other parents and friends about the stress of being a parent in today’s world.
- Self-care is important. Take time for yourself once in a while.
- Seek mental health support when you need it.
One good source is the CDC and positive parenting tips.
If you are feeling stressed from parenting, worried, and feeling inadequate as a parent, contact Colony Care Behavioral Health for help. To speak with a clinician, request an appointment through our secure online form.