Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD) is an annual campaign in January (previously 27th of 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 impact of the pandemic on the mental health of parents and carers, led to stem4 founding Parent Mental Health Day in 2022. The Cost of Living Crisis, which so closely followed the pandemic, and increased concerns about digital harms, rising rates of mental ill health and the impact of stretched services have further increased parent and carer anxiety and, in some cases, helplessness and hopelessness.

Throughout the PMHD campaign, stem4 provides organisations, corporates, parent and carer groups and families with information packs filled with tips and advice while shining a spotlight on parents’ mental health.

In 2020 stem4 founded Youth Mental Health Day, to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding youth mental health challenges. Find out more about YMHD here.

Daily pressures cause many UK families to struggle with their mental health: Many of the country’s parents and carers feel overwhelmed, isolated, and unable to cope

In a survey carried out by stem4, eight in ten (82%) parents/carers reported that pressures often leave them feeling overwhelmed, and increasingly lonely, isolated and disconnected from friends and family, and even work colleagues.

That’s why the theme for YMHD 2024 was #CreatingPositiveRelationships.

Whether it’s through playing, connecting or resting, creating positive relationships looks different for every parent/carer. By focussing on the importance of prioritising relationships, #stem4PMHD aimed to provide an opportunity for parents to discuss their struggles and share in their achievements of connecting positively with each other and the whole family, and to learn ways to connect positively to maximise young people’s mental health.

Take a look back at PMHD 2024.

Whilst Parent Mental Health Day is over for another year, there are still so many ways to get involved and support the work that stem4 does to promote positive mental health for young people and those who support them.

Events and fundraising activities are a wonderful way to help us support young people’s mental health. If you are interested in organising an event please get in touch at fundraising@stem4.org.uk.

Or, take a look at our fundraising page for more fundraising ideas, resources, and information:

stem4.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise. stem4 is always keen to secure corporate sponsorship, with a firm belief that all income generated should directly support the charity and our user groups. Sponsorship also offers an opportunity to showcase your business. Email fundraising@stem4.org.uk to connect.