The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued an advisory addressing the mental health and well-being of parents and caregivers. This advisory emphasizes the profound impact that parental mental health has, not only on the individuals directly affected but also on their children and society at large. As a think tank dedicated to maternal mental health, we recognize the importance of this call to action and its implications for mothers across the nation.
The advisory highlights the myriad stressors that parents face today, from financial strains and concerns about their children’s health and safety to the unique challenges posed by technology and social media. These pressures are compounded for mothers, who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, making them more vulnerable to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Maternal Mental Health: A Critical Issue
The advisory underscores that maternal mental health conditions, particularly during the prenatal period, can significantly influence a child’s future mental health outcomes. Maternal distress—whether due to stress, life events, depression, or anxiety—has been linked to an increased risk of mental health conditions in children. This connection highlights the urgency of addressing maternal mental health as a public health priority.
The Advisory Recommendations
Dr. Murthy’s advisory calls for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents, particularly mothers. It is a call to action for policymakers, community organizations, health professionals, and society as a whole to create environments where mothers can thrive. This means implementing policies that provide paid family leave, affordable childcare, and access to reliable mental health care. It also means fostering community initiatives that support social connection and reduce parental isolation.
The Surgeon General’s advisory provides guidance for various stakeholders to support maternal mental health. For policymakers, this means advocating for policies that ensure all mothers have access to the resources they need. For communities and health professionals, it means creating programs that provide social support and mental health services tailored to the unique needs of mothers.
Solutions from the Policy Center
Addressing maternal mental health is the shared responsibility of federal and state policymakers, healthcare providers, hospitals, insurers, and communities. In 2023, the Policy Center created a policy roadmap so that together, these key players can take steps to prevent maternal mental health disorders and close gaps in care.
