The Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, has issued an advisory highlighting the significant stress and mental health challenges faced by parents across the nation, emphasizing that these issues constitute a serious public health concern. In his advisory, Murthy calls for a comprehensive approach to support parents’ well-being, which includes societal recognition of parenting as valuable as paid work, societal support for parents, and the implementation of policies such as a national paid family and medical leave program, and expanded child care financial assistance.
The advisory points out that according to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, a higher percentage of parents (33%) reported high levels of stress in the past month compared with other adults (20%). This underscores the need for a culture shift where parenting is valued equally with work. The advisory suggests that more connection and community support are needed to combat loneliness and isolation among parents, which can exacerbate stress and mental health issues.
Murthy emphasizes that the challenges faced by parents, such as stress, loneliness, and the impact of social media on youth mental health, are significant public health concerns that require tangible support beyond mere platitudes. The advisory recommends a multifaceted response involving employers, communities, schools, health-care workers, and researchers to address these issues effectively.
Employers are encouraged to expand programs that support parents’ well-being, including offering paid leave and flexible work schedules. Additionally, there is a call for more research into developing parent-specific standardized measures of mental health and well-being to better understand and address the unique challenges faced by parents.
The advisory also suggests that healthcare providers should be trained to identify and support at-risk parents, particularly those who may be struggling the most. The recommendations aim to create a more supportive environment for parents, recognizing the critical importance of their role in society and the impact it has on the overall well-being of families and communities.
Surgeon General’s advisories serve as public statements to draw attention to critical health issues that require urgent action. Murthy’s previous advisories have addressed issues such as health misinformation, the effects of social media on youth mental health, and gun violence. This latest advisory is a call to action for all sectors of society to come together to support the mental health and well-being of parents.