US surgeon general names parent stress an 'urgent public health issue'

WASHINGTON - U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a public health advisory on Wednesday addressing the mental health and well-being of parents.

The advisory, which is reserved for "significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action," discussed various factors that cause stress for parents and noted an urgent need for support to reduce stress and protect their mental health and well-being.

"The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society," Murthy, a parent of two children, wrote in the advisory. "We know that the well-being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the well-being of their children.

He continued: "The stresses parents and caregivers have today are being passed to children in direct and indirect ways, impacting families and communities across America. Yet in modern society, parenting is often portrayed as a less important, less valued pursuit. Nothing could be further from the truth."

In the 30-page advisory, Murthy called for a "fundamental shift" in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of parents. 

Reasons for parental stress 

The advisory cited a 2023 survey from the American Psychological Association that found 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month compared with 20% of other adults.

In addition, 41% of parents reported that most days, they experience so much stress that they cannot function, while 48% said their stress is "completely overwhelming" on most days.

The COVID-19 pandemic was cited as a contributor to stressors among parents and caregivers, as well as financial stability, concerns for health and safety, management of tech and social media, parental loneliness, cultural pressures and their children’s future.

Another recent study, cited in the advisory, found that one-in-four U.S. parents said there have been times in the past year when they did not have enough money for basic needs. 

The advisory also found that many parents face circumstances such as family or community violence, poverty, and racism and discrimination, all of which can impact mental health.

Survey: More parents are feeling lonely, burned out

In April, another survey found that about 66% of parents said they sometimes or frequently feel isolated and lonely, and about 62% said they felt burned out by their responsibilities as a parent. 

RELATED: More parents are feeling lonely, burned out, new survey says

"Loneliness has been shown to affect both your physical and mental health," Kate Gawlik, DNP, associate clinical professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing and a researcher on parental burnout, explained. "So anything from cardiovascular disease to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, even your immune system can be affected when you’re lonely." 

Participants said that they felt they have no one to support them in their roles as a parent and nearly 80% said they would value a way to connect with other parents outside of work and home. 

What can be done

The surgeon general said that he intends to "take steps to mitigate stress at every stage" for parents and caregivers.

"I am also outlining policies, programs and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers," he wrote.

Murthy’s advisory encouraged governments and employers to establish programs to ensure that parents have access to affordable mental health care, paid family and medical leave, and other family services.

"Something has to change," he continued. "Supporting parents and caregivers will require a series of thoughtful policy changes and expanded community programs that will help ensure parents and caregivers can get time off to be with a sick child, secure affordable child care, access reliable mental health care, and benefit from places and initiatives that support social connection and community."

The surgeon general also encouraged schools and communities to provide support services and groups to help parents manage stress.

RELATED: Surgeon general warns social media can have 'profound risk of harm' for kids

"The well-being of parents and caregivers is a critical and underappreciated public health priority," he added.

The message from Murthy comes ahead of the 2024 election, as the Biden administration continues highlighting working-class families’ struggles.

Vice President Kamala Harris' economic plan calls for a $6,000 child tax credit for families during the first year of a kid's life — when expenses tend to rise and income falls while a parent steps out of the workforce.

Murthy issues advisories on gun violence, social media harms

In June, the surgeon general declared gun violence a public health crisis amid a fast-growing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms in the country. 

"Today, for the first time in the history of our office, I am issuing a Surgeon General's Advisory on firearm violence," Murthy said in a video announcement. "It outlines the urgent threat firearm violence poses to the health and well-being of our country."

RELATED: Surgeon general declares gun violence in US a public health crisis

Last year, Murthy also said loneliness could be as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes a day. 

In 2023, about half of U.S. adults said they’ve experienced loneliness, as research showed Americans are becoming less engaged. 

"We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It's like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing," Dr. Vivek Murthy told The Associated Press in an interview. "Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that's not right. That's why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing." 

And last year, Murthy issued a public health advisory about the harms social media pose to young people, and in June called for Congress to issue a warning label for kids on social media.

"I recognize technology companies have taken steps to try to make their platforms healthier and safer, but it’s simply not enough," Murthy told AP. "You can just look at the age requirements, where platforms have said 13 is the age at which people can start using their platforms. Yet 40% of kids 8 through 12 are on social media. How does that happen if you’re actually enforcing your policies?"