The US Surgeon General calls parenting stress a public health challenge

The US surgeon general issued a public health advisory on Wednesday about the impact of modern stressors on parents’ mental health, calling on government, businesses and community organizations to increase resources to provide them with more support .

The advisory issued by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who has previously used the format to address the dangers of gun violence and social media on young people, highlighted a long list of issues stressing parents and called for policy changes and more support good of the community for them. , other caregivers and families as a whole.

Among policy recommendations, Murthy pushed for federal, state, tribal and local governments to expand funding that supports parents, create a national paid sick and family leave program, ensure workers have paid sick time and t ‘provide caregivers with access at affordable prices. mental health care options.

Murthy told Reuters in an interview that the mental health of parents had an impact on their offspring.

“Behind this youth mental health crisis is the real crisis with parents, many of whom are struggling with deep stress and their own mental health challenges,” Murthy told Reuters in an interview. “If you really want to help children, one of the things you have to do is help parents.”

The advisory called on employers to put in place training programs for managers about stress management and work-life balance and encouraged healthcare professionals and social service groups to screen parents for mental health conditions.

Murthy said there were at least 63 million parents and carers, and 48% described themselves as completely overwhelmed. Parents, especially single ones, are also experiencing a disproportionate level of loneliness, he said.

President Joe Biden’s legislation providing paid family and medical leave for Americans was blocked by Republicans and some Democrats in Congress.

Murthy, whose time in office is expected to end at the end of Biden’s term in January, said he does not see the issue as political.

“As a country, we need to invest more in caring for … parents and supporting their well-being,” he said. “My hope is that … the welfare of parents would not be a political or partisan issue.”