The Parental Stress Public Health Advisory from the Surgeon General
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy M.D. recently released a public health advisory about the effects of stress on today’s parents. The Surgeon General claims parents are at their ‘wits end’ and that policy must be considered to help them take charge of their mental health and wellbeing.
Highlights of the Public Health Advisory
According to the research, more parents report high stress levels than other adults, and nearly half of those parents say that stress is “completely overwhelming.” This is attributed to the unique struggles parents face that don’t have many options for support. These stressors include the children’s health, safety, and future, financial struggles, parental isolation, cultural and societal pressures, and more.
Additional factors make some parents more susceptible to high levels of stress and other mental health issues, such as racism and misogyny. Parental stress can manifest differently in either parent because of these additional factors. It’s important that we better support parents in our communities. Their work is important for the future of our communities and overall society.
The Future of Parents and Mental Health
If policy changes occur, there could be a shift away from the today’s focus on conditions such as depression or anxiety as the only reasons to seek mental health support, says Dr. Sid Khurana M.D., co-founder of Nevada Mental Health, one of the state’s largest psychiatric practices.
The expert says Murthy’s position validates the stressful nature of parenting. Khurana, along with practice cofounder and current Nevada Psychiatric Association President Dr. Timothy Jeider M.D., hopes that in the future being a parent would be enough reason for a person to seek mental health support and not receive pushback from insurance.
Making an Impact
Nevada Mental Health is dedicated to providing quality psychiatric care to people of all ages and situations. Our goal is to uplift our community so we can all flourish and be healthy. Parents are an important element of the health and growth of any community, and we want to offer our hand to help. If you or someone you love is looking for quality mental health care in Nevada, contact us today to schedule a new appointment.
