Parents are experiencing a Mental Health Crisis: Surgeon General's Warning

The Surgeon General has issued an official warning stating that parents are experiencing a mental health crisis and have reached “disproportionate” levels of stress and loneliness. New data shows 48% of parents are “completely overwhelmed,” and ⅔ of those cite financial hardship. In a recent and poignant declaration, America’s top doctor has raised the alarm: parents nationwide are drowning in stress and loneliness. This warning brings to light the growing crisis affecting millions of families nationwide. According to new data, a staggering 48% of parents report feeling “completely overwhelmed,” nearly double the rate of those without children.

But what is driving these high levels of stress and loneliness among parents? There are many factors, yet one of the most prominent ones cited in the report is financial hardship. Roughly two-thirds of parents pointed to economic struggles as a significant contributor to their stress. With inflation affecting everything from groceries to gas and the cost of living continually rising, parents are feeling the financial squeeze more than ever before.

The Emotional Toll of Parenting in Today’s World

Parenting has always been challenging, but the pressures parents face today with raising their kids have escalated to unprecedented levels. Beyond the financial strain, parents are trying to keep up with their packed schedules filled with balancing work and their kid’s extracurricular activities, along with helping them navigate their academic challenges. Add to this the emotional weight of ensuring their kids’ mental well-being, which has spiraled out of control nationwide with the highest rates of depression and suicide.

The constant use of technology and social media has also introduced new unlimited layers of worry and stress for parents as kids are exposed to an endless stream of unhealthy and dangerous content with the tap of their fingers on their phones. In this digital age, parents struggle to keep up with monitoring the constantly changing landscape of the World Wide Web to keep their kids safe. And data shows our kids are NOT okay. Many moms I work with are dealing with very serious mental health issues with their kids. They are worried sick about them and doing everything they can to find the resources they need to help their kids with a wide range of mental health disorders. These precious moms are emotionally and physically exhausted- it’s no wonder the Surgeon General has come out with this health advisory that parents are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Parents are also constantly comparing themselves to the curated lives they see online, leading to feelings of inadequacy and isolation. The cultural expectation to “do it all” and “have it all” creates a sense of relentless pressure, where parents feel they can never truly relax or take time for themselves.

The Hidden Epidemic of Loneliness Among Parents

Loneliness might seem like an unusual complaint for those with bustling households, but the data doesn’t lie. Parents often report feeling isolated, even in the midst of their families and busy lives. This loneliness can stem from a lack of meaningful adult connections, as many parents find themselves too busy to nurture meaningful friendships, engage in fun and fulfilling social activities, or take the time for much-needed self-care.

Additionally, there is this cultural expectation that parents should be self-sufficient and have everything under control, which often leads to reluctance to ask for help. If everyone else is doing so well, then they should handle their lives with the same success. But the truth is- EVERYONE is stressed, and almost all moms are confronted with troubling issues that develop with their kids. This sense of needing to manage everything on their own and do it perfectly, just like they see online- only deepens the isolation many parents feel. When you’re constantly giving, it can feel like there’s no one to turn to for support. Moms I work with often feel so alone and overwhelmed with trying to manage it all, and they desperately need a community of support filled with other moms who can relate to them and share in the same issues they are dealing with while raising their tweens and teens. (This is why we have an Inner Circle Membership to support moms raising tweens and teens! Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when it opens).

Strategies for Coping with Overwhelm and Loneliness

If you’re a mom feeling overwhelmed and isolated, know that you’re not alone, and there are steps you can take to improve your health and well-being. Here are some practical strategies to consider:

Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s important to recognize and validate your feelings of stress and loneliness. Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling without judgment. Naming these emotions is the first step in addressing them.
Connect with Other Parents: Seek out support groups, whether online or in-person, where you can share your experiences and find solidarity with others going through similar challenges. Just knowing that others understand your struggles can provide immense relief.
Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that it’s okay not to be perfect. NO ONE IS, despite what we all see on social media! Allow yourself to let go of some of the pressure to be everything for everyone. Setting realistic goals and expectations can reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Set appropriate boundaries: You matter, too. It’s easy to give so much time, attention, and energy to our kids and neglect our own needs. The truth is if we don’t set boundaries, say no, and set aside time to care for ourselves, we won’t be our best selves for our families. We will be resentful, short-fused, and burned out. We need to refresh and refill our own cups in order to show up and be the moms and women we want to be.
Take Time for Self-Care: Even a few minutes a day dedicated to self-care can make a significant difference. Whether it’s reading, taking a walk, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea, these small acts can replenish your emotional reserves.
Make time for fun social activities, fulfilling hobbies, and regular time with trustworthy friends. It’s important to take care of yourself so you are healthy, rested, and well enough to manage everything else. Focus on the things you love and feed those critical connections with people you trust.
Seek Professional Help if Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor if your feelings of stress and loneliness become too much to handle on your own. Professional help can provide you with strategies to cope and thrive. I honestly believe we could ALL benefit from regular counseling, especially during these tough years of raising tweens and teens! (reach out to me, and I can help >>> [email protected])
Communicate with Your Partner or Support Network: Open up about how you feel with those close to you. They may not realize the extent of your stress, and sharing what’s really going on with you and how overwhelmed and worried you feel can help improve communication and deepen their understanding of all you are experiencing.

Parents need much more support.

While individual strategies are essential, broader systemic changes are also necessary to support parents effectively. This includes advocating for better parental leave policies, affordable childcare, and mental health resources tailored to children and families. Communities can play a vital role by fostering supportive networks where parents can connect and share their experiences.

The Surgeon General’s warning is a critical reminder that parenting, though rewarding and amazing in many ways, can also be incredibly challenging, exhausting, and full of stress and strain. After working with countless moms as a parent coach, I see all the struggles and overwhelming stress they are experiencing with raising their kids. My greatest passion and purpose is to help guide, support, and encourage moms of tweens and teens through all the challenges they face and help moms BE their best and GIVE their best to their kids.