Is it safe to say that just about everyone is stressed to the absolute breaking point? The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified things.
Prices are up (and corporations are reporting record profits but not raising wages); there are shortages of doctors, and specialists are harder than ever to access, with wait lists that may stretch more than a year in some cases; politics are insane; kids are struggling academically; and don’t even get me started on the difficulties in accessing mental health care.
So, is it any wonder that parents, juggling all that for themselves and their children too, are in crisis?
The Surgeon General Is Addressing The Crisis
If you’re at your limit, you’re not alone. The situation is so severe and so widespread that the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, is expressing concern for parents’ well-being across the country.
He says that for the past decade, data has shown parents having significantly higher levels of stress than other adults. The most recent data shows that 33% of parents report overwhelming stress, compared to 20% of non-parent adults. The problem is self-perpetuating, too, since stress can result in health problems for the sufferer and further mental health issues for their kids. Dr. Murthy explains:
“When stress is severe or prolonged, it can have a harmful effect on the mental health of parents and caregivers, which in turn also affects the well- being of the children they raise. Children of parents with mental health conditions may face heightened risks for symptoms of depression and anxiety and for earlier onset, recurrence, and prolonged functional impairment from mental health conditions.”
Parents Are Crying For Help, And The Surgeon General Is Calling For Government Action
Dr. Murthy’s advisory isn’t just a recognition of the problem. He’s calling for the U.S. government to step up and help its citizens and for the public to come together to ensure the support of parents and families.
The Surgeon General’s recommendations are for entities including federal, state, and local governments, community organizations and schools, health and social service programs, and many more. They also focus on personal responsibility and offer recommendations for individuals to take their own steps.
A Culture-Wide Movement
Dr Murthy isn’t just addressing government entities, employers, and individuals. He wants to so a societal shift to a culture that is supportive of parents and families. He says:
“First, it’s time to value and respect time spent parenting on par with time spent working at a paying job, recognizing the critical importance to society of raising children. Many parents and caregivers feel undervalued for prioritizing parenting over employment—whether that means choosing to be a full-time parent or managing the many work tradeoffs involved in being an employed parent. We must recognize the importance of parenting and reflect it in how we prioritize resources, design policy, shape work environments, and approach our conversations with parents.”
A growing number of adults are choosing to remain child-free for a long list of reasons, including the difficulties of being a parent in current society, where the direct financial costs, as well as impacts on career options and more, can be impacted by familial obligations.
While that’s a valid decision for any individual or family, it could impact society if efforts aren’t made to support parents.
Parental Stress On The Job
The Surgeon General would like employers to recognize the stress of balancing work and home life more effectively while not excluding parents from leadership roles that allow them to further their careers and better support their families.
He’s also calling for better access to comprehensive healthcare through an employer and for expanding paid leave and other programs that support families. He said:
“These can include offering paid parental, medical, and sick leave, flexible and fair work schedules, and access to child care (in the community or on-site).”
Communities, Schools, & Local Organizations
Dr. Murthy suggests that schools could be a convenient way for parents to connect and support shared needs in each community. As he points out, many parents already have connections to the schools in their area, either because they have kids in the school system or because they attended the schools themselves, so it would be a location already familiar to much of the community.
He notes that HeadStart facilities already offer classes for parents, providing evidence-based classes on parenting strategies and caregiving. Schools could connect with community resources, like health departments and support organizations to offer connections to mental health, childcare, and more.
The Federal Government Can Take Huge Steps
The responsibility isn’t being foisted off to local and state governments and groups, though. The Surgeon General’s recommendations call for the federal government to make serious efforts, too.
For one, he’s calling on the U.S. government to take steps to fund local initiatives like those described above. He also recommends a national program to protect all workers’ sick time and paid medical and family leave.
He wants to ensure that families have access to affordable and high-quality mental healthcare through measures such as expanding healthcare programs and funding and supporting telehealth.
He also wants the government to take more steps to address some of the issues that are driving mental health struggles, including the following:
“Priorities should encompass poverty reduction, prevention of adverse childhood experiences, access to affordable neighborhood safety, and improving access to healthy food and affordable housing. Policymakers should also prioritize programs that support eligible households in gaining access to crucial services and supports, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, child care support, and home visits, among others.”
For the full document listing of the Surgeon General’s conclusions and recommendations, click here (PDF).