U.S. Surgeon General releases advisory for parental mental health

A recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General discussed the need for mental health support for parents. 

What happened

On August 28th, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Murthy released the Surgeon General's Advisory on mental health and well-being of parents. The advisory is a response to the statistical findings of the disproportionate stress level faced by the group. 

Within the advisory, Dr. Murthy proposes a variety of measures to improve access to mental health services as well as promote access to affordable family care. The document also provides for topical issues such as paid family leave to alleviate the pressure faced by parents.

By the numbers 

• 33% of parents reported experiencing high levels of stress in the past month.
• Only 20% of other adults (non-parents) reported high levels of stress in the same timeframe.
• Approximately 63 million parents are living with children under the age of 18 in the United States.
  
  

What was said 

In the press release, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated that: “Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society. Yet parents and caregivers today face tremendous pressures, from familiar stressors such as worrying about their kids’ health and safety and financial concerns, to new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, and an epidemic of loneliness that has hit young people the hardest. As a father of two kids, I feel these pressures too. With this Advisory, I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents. I am also outlining policies, programs, and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers.”

Why it matters 

Statistical backing proves high stress rates in parents especially when it comes to juggling parenthood, careers, and the increased cost of living. With a lack of support, mental health goes by the wayside, and without public health measures to reach out to those in need. 

The advisory calls for more public health attention on the matter. With necessary public health measures like using HIPAA compliant email campaigns centered around mental health provisions and support to communicate with those in underserved communities, the aftereffects of parental stress can be reduced. 

See also: Top HIPAA compliant email services

FAQs

What is the role of the U.S. Surgeon General?

The U.S. Surgeon General advises the public on health issues. 

Is consent necessary in the scope of public health campaigns?

Consent is typically not necessary for broad public health campaigns. 

How can healthcare providers assist with mental health support for parents?

Healthcare providers can support parents' mental health by offering counseling and other resources through HIPAA compliant email marketing campaigns.