The lasting impact of the pandemic, combined with the cost-of-living crisis, has left millions of parents and carers—nearly two thirds of families in the UK—in emotional and mental health distress.

Two thirds (63%) say that ‘the cost-of-living crisis has negatively impacted my mental health and my family’s mental health’

This has led eight in ten (82%) parents and carers to say they feel overwhelmed and unable to cope and lack the resilience needed to overcome their daily struggles. Three in ten (30%) of them feel this way either all or most of the time.

The findings come from a new nationwide survey of 2,012 parents and carers conducted by youth mental health charity stem4, marking Parent Mental Health Day #PMHD (27^th January).

Nearly all parents and carers say they have been negatively impacted by the cost-of-living crisis

Four in ten (43%) can no longer afford family outings and treats; one third (31%) are struggling to heat their homes, and travel to work, and one in five (19%) are having to work extra hours or take a second job to make ends meet. Meanwhile, one in four (25%) parents and carers say they are struggling to access the health and mental health treatment and services they need.

The cost-of-living crisis is more than a question of finance, it is also a crisis of mental health. That is why this year’s theme for Parent Mental Health Day is #BuildFamilyResilience, focusing on how parents and carers can successfully adapt to challenging situations and deal with their own stress and anxiety, while navigating their family through difficult times.

#BuildFamilyResilience on Parent Mental Health Day

The survey was carried out ahead of Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD), an annual campaign (27th January) launched by youth mental health charity stem4, to encourage understanding and awareness of the importance of parents’ mental health and wellbeing and its impact on the whole family system.

The theme of this year’s campaign is #BuildFamilyResilience. We’ve emerged from the pandemic, but now the cost-of-living crisis is causing parents to face new uncertainties and challenges. PMHD 2023 will focus on practical ways in which parents and carers can build family resilience, minimising negative impact on the mental health of parents, carers, children and young people.

Throughout the campaign, stem4 is providing interested organisations, corporates, and parents’ groups with information packs filled with ideas to shine a spotlight on parents’ mental health. PMHD will encourage people to reflect on the impact of mental health on their own and their families’ lives and to share thoughts on how to #BuildFamilyResilience towards positive mental health, and take positive steps to make change.

Want to read more?

Read the full results in the press release here.