Parent Mental Health: Mental Illness, Stigma, And Well-Being Among Parents In The US
In 2024, Surgeon General Vivek Murphy issued a Surgeon General’s Advisory regarding the poor mental health of parents. According to the report, 41% of parents say their stress is so high that on most days, they can’t function. On top of the mental health conditions to which everyone can be susceptible, parents often face significant stress related to their children’s mental health and well-being.
Despite the great need for parental mental health services, caregivers often face stigma that keeps them from getting the support they deserve. Here, we’ll discuss parental mental health needs, factors that may keep some from receiving help, and ways to fight stigma so that parents can get mental health support.
Common mental health challenges that parents may face related to their children
Aside from their own mental health challenges, parents are often concerned about their children’s mental health. Even if they implement strategies to protect their children from negative messaging on social media, for example, they often know that they will likely be exposed to content that can affect their emotional well-being, such as posts that contribute to anxiety or body image concerns.
Parents and caregivers also tend to worry that their teens might be exposed to alcohol or other substances. Despite efforts to educate teens on the potential danger of substance use, parents often have concerns that their kids might experience peer pressure to experiment with substances in an unsafe way.
This type of persistent worry can sometimes escalate into or qualify as an anxiety disorder. High stress levels can also affect mood and mental well-being and may exacerbate symptoms of any existing mental health conditions a parent might have.
What does research say about parent mental health?
Research suggests that many parents believe strongly in mental health. For example, according to BetterHelp’s 2025 State of Stigma report, which is based on a survey of more than 26,000 people across 23 countries, 63% of respondents say they believe it’s wise to seek support even when nothing's wrong. However, 34% also reported that they perceive people who seek support as different in a negative way. This highlights a gap between belief and action, which is likely due to stigma.
In some cases, parents may experience fear of what their spouse or children might think if they seek help. Some caregivers may also fear what other parents might think if they are seen going to a therapist’s office. In small communities, parents may also experience concern about opening up to a therapist with a local practice.
How to fight stigma surrounding parental mental illness
One way for individuals to fight stigma surrounding caregiver mental health is to advocate for and engage in various types of parental mental health support—which could take many forms. For example, parents who are raising children might consider participating in local workshops about parental stress or joining a support group for parents of children with special needs. Also, when schools or community organizations offer events about youth mental health, parents can take an active role and invite other caregivers to participate along with them.
Support groups for parents
Another way that caregivers can both fight stigma and receive support is to join a support group for parents. This type of group allows primary caregivers to meet others who are also trying to promote open dialogue about mental health and learn more about how to support the well-being of their children and themselves.
Some groups may focus on specific mental health topics, such as depression in caregivers or topics related to teen mental health. Others may be more general meetings to offer caregiver emotional support. Parents who can’t find a local group can often sign up for one that meets online.
Therapy for parental mental health
In addition to joining a support group, parents may benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health professional one on one. A therapist can support parents by providing evidence-based care for any mental health conditions they may be experiencing in addition to offering tips for navigating parenting issues and promoting the well-being of all family members.
How parents can get help online
Many parents have a busy schedule that can make it difficult to commute to a therapist’s office each week. Others may feel more comfortable seeing a therapist outside their local community. In both cases, parents might prefer to speak with a therapist online rather than in person.
With online therapy, a parent can connect with a licensed therapist virtually, via audio, video, or live chat, at times that suit their schedule. With a platform like BetterHelp, parents can also reach out to their therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and their therapist will reply as soon as they can. This feature allows parents to contact their provider on days or nights when they’re experiencing high stress, whether related to parenting or other challenges.
In addition to offering numerous communication options, online therapy has a strong basis of support in the literature. For example, in one systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers studied the effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. The results suggest that online CBT can be even more effective than in-person therapy for addressing depression symptoms in many cases.
Takeaway
What are some common parental stressors?
Parents often experience a variety of stressors related to raising their children. In fact, parent mental health is considered a crisis per a recent Surgeon General’s Advisory. For example, the adolescent years can raise concerns related to social media use and teen mental health as well as worries about teen substance use disorder and other factors.
How can parents fight stigma surrounding mental health?
Parents can help fight stigma in society by advocating for mental health care for caregivers. For example, they might consider attending events designed to help parents navigate stress related to raising teens, including learning about protective factors and preventative care. They can also take care of their own mental well-being and encourage most parents in their circle to seek help for poor mental health when needed.
What can teens and children do if they are worried their parent might be experiencing mental health challenges?
Children and teens might consider talking to a school counselor if they are worried that a parent or other adults in their life may be experiencing a mental health condition. This may be especially advisable for children of single parents who may not have another parent or caregiver to turn to for help in this situation. A school counselor might have information about local resources, such as support groups and free or low-cost counseling.
What does mental illness look like in a parent?
Mental illness can manifest in different ways in different people, and each mental disorder has a unique set of symptoms. For example, depression may manifest in a parent as low mood, irritability, difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping, weight loss or gain, and poor general health, with symptoms like headache and stomachache.
How can health problems affect parents’ mental health?
Physical health problems can significantly affect a parent’s mental health. For example, a primary caregiver who cannot work or who has to work despite major health challenges or pain can face significant stress and anxiety.
What are some effective strategies to improve parent mental health?
In addition to seeking professional treatment for symptoms of a mental illness or high stress levels, parents can also implement a variety of self-care strategies that may bolster their mental well-being, such as:
- Practice a few minutes of mindfulness meditation each day
- Schedule at least 20 minutes of exercise, outside if possible, several days a week
- Engage in journaling, which research suggests may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Schedule time to socialize with friends or family often
Are you responsible for your parents' mental health?
A child is not responsible for the mental health of a parent. Children with a parent who is experiencing mental health challenges might seek support by reaching out to another trusted adult or a school counselor.
How to cope with a parent that has mental illness?
When living with a loved one who has a mental illness, seeking the proper support is often key. Connecting with a mental health professional for coping help and surrounding yourself with supportive friends and other family members can also be helpful.
How does a parent's mental health affect a child?
A parent’s mental illness may affect a child in many different ways depending on the particulars of the situation. If the parent is not receiving treatment for a mental illness, the child may feel responsible for providing better support in a consistent way for their parent’s symptoms, which is unreasonable and can be a significant burden. In general, it’s best for a parent to receive treatment and ongoing support from a mental health professional and primary care doctor and to have a strong social support network as well.
How do you help an emotionally unstable parent?
It’s typically recommended that an emotionally unstable parent receive mental health support from a qualified professional as soon a possible. A mental health professional can provide evidence-based care and treatment through proven ways.
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