A recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General highlights that parents are significantly more susceptible to severe and prolonged stress compared to adults without children. This trend raises questions about how Canadian parents are faring under similar pressures.
The report, led by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, revealed that 33 percent of parents in the U.S. reported experiencing high levels of stress within the last month, compared to 20 percent of non-parents. With 63 million parents of children under 18 in the U.S., along with millions of other caregivers, the report emphasizes the unique challenges this group faces.
“This population is confronted with a variety of stressors that accompany parenting, including the everyday demands of raising children, financial burdens, economic instability, time pressures, concerns over their children’s health and safety, social isolation, difficulties managing technology and social media, and cultural expectations,” the report outlines.
Dr. Murthy called for a major shift in societal priorities to better support parents’ mental health. “We need to fundamentally rethink how we value and support the mental health and well-being of parents. This includes implementing policies, programs, and actions that can help parents and caregivers thrive,” he stated.
This surge in parental stress is not exclusive to the U.S., with Canadian parents likely experiencing similar challenges. Experts believe the findings from the U.S. report closely mirror mental health trends in Canada, signaling a need for significant changes to support parents more effectively.
The report recommends cultural and policy shifts to foster a society that values mental health support for caregivers and parents. Among the proposed measures, Dr. Murthy advocates for policy reforms and expanded community programs to ensure parents and caregivers have access to paid sick leave, affordable child care, reliable mental health services, and opportunities for social connection.
Michael Cooper, Vice-President of Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC), noted that the U.S. report’s findings are consistent with indicators observed in Canada. “The report aligns with what we’re seeing in terms of burnout rates among Canadian parents,” Cooper said.
A 2023 MHRC report highlighted that anxiety levels are particularly high among younger Canadian parents, especially those under 29. These younger parents, especially those with children over the age of 10, tend to experience higher rates of depression compared to parents aged 30 to 44.
“We see significantly elevated rates of severe depression among young mothers with older children, often those who had children during their teenage years,” Cooper explained. Additionally, LGBTQ2 and newcomer parents report higher levels of burnout than the general population, which Cooper attributes to social stigma and isolation in some communities.
The report also pointed out that a lack of access to care or support was a significant factor for many young mothers, particularly during the pandemic. “Mothers who were pregnant or had young children during the early stages of the pandemic faced considerable challenges due to a lack of adequate health, mental health, and family support,” the report noted.
Since 2022, the lingering effects of the pandemic have shifted to more specific concerns, such as the rising cost of living. Cooper observed that inflation has exacerbated stress levels among parents, particularly those struggling financially. “We’ve seen that as inflation surged in 2023, burnout rates among parents have started to climb again,” he said.
For many young parents, food insecurity remains a pressing issue. The MHRC monitors food insecurity on three levels: no food insecurity, low food insecurity, and high food insecurity. High food insecurity means regular visits to food banks, while low food insecurity often involves sacrificing nutritional quality to stretch the budget. “Low food insecurity might mean feeding kids macaroni and cheese every night without meat or vegetables,” Cooper said. “This lack of nutrients can hinder both physical and neurological development in growing children, creating significant stress for parents.”
Cooper believes that lowering grocery costs and improving food security are among the most critical actions governments can take to support young parents. As both the U.S. and Canada grapple with these challenges, the need for comprehensive mental health support for parents is more evident than ever.
