Kids Aren’ t the Only Ones. Parents Are on Edge, Too.
By Elaine Griffin University School of Milwaukee • Milwaukee, WI
I
’ ve written many columns advising parents on how to help their anxious kids. But what about anxious parents? Dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to caring for their children, parents’ commitment can come at the expense of their own well-being. Even when the kids are all right, parents’ own mental health needs are frequently ignored.
All the more reason to welcome“ Parents Under Pressure,” 1 former U. S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’ s report declaring that parental mental health is an urgent public health issue. His report explores why“ over the past decade, parents have been consistently more likely to report experiencing high levels of stress compared to other adults.”
Some parents may believe that juggling busy schedules while disregarding sleep and exercise are necessary concessions to advance the lives of their children. But Murthy’ s report concludes“ that the well-being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the well-being of their children,” adding that“ children of a primary caregiver who reported poor mental health were four times more likely to have poor general health and two times more likely to have mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders.”
1. https:// www. hhs. gov / sites / default / files / parents-under-pressure. pdf
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