New survey data, published today by youth mental health charity stem4 and marking Parent Mental Health Day (27th January), finds that most parents and carers have little or no time to take care of their own mental health needs, leaving four in ten in mental health distress.
Nine in ten (86%) parents say the pandemic has left them feeling overwhelmed, unable to cope, and lacking balance in their life. Major factors are the effect of lockdowns and fears of more, the pressures of home schooling (45%), fear over becoming ill (36%), work pressures and lack of work (29%), and financial difficulties (28%).
Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, founder of stem4, said: “It’s highly worrying that four in ten parents and carers say they are experiencing mental health difficulties, with only a quarter willing or able to access treatment. GPs are often the first port of call for parents in mental health distress, but service resources are being both significantly stretched and reduced, and the criteria for acceptance to mental health services are dauntingly high. The consequence is that few parents are getting the help they need. Meanwhile, children’s and young people’s mental health problems are at an all-time high, with these services stretched to breaking point and very few able to access early interventions. Parents are not only struggling to balance all of their responsibilities but are also having to be the supporter of their child’s or young person’s mental health, and that can be especially hard if their own mental health is compromised.”
Read more about the findings in the full press release here.
Learn more about stem4’s brand new Parent Mental Health Day or download our Balance Pack (designed to help parents and carers find balance in their lives).
Missed our Parent Mental Health Day webinar? Check out our key takeaways.