EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – The U.S. Surgeon General recently declared parent’s mental health an urgent public issue.
He shared startling statistics about the challenges parents face. Like how almost 50% of parents say that most of their stress is completely overwhelming.
“Just the tasks of day to day parenting are taking much longer than it did around the mid 1980′s. There are new challenges is raising children, such as navigating social media, financial strain, just the uncertainty in our culture can really create strain on parents.” Dr. Shilagh Mirgain of UW Health said.
There are various day-to-day challenges parents face, like financial strains, social media and time demands.
With social media, parents compete with themselves over what they see online.
Dr. Mirgain added, “I think with the rise of social media there can be this culture of comparison, everyone posts their best moments with their children and so many parents, I would think almost all parents at some points feel like they’re not meeting expectations they’re not doing it good enough.”
Other factors like financial struggle, or solo parenting can take a big toll on parents’ mental wellness.
“Parents feel like they’re having to raise their children in isolation, there’s so much true to it takes a village to raise children.” Dr. Mirgain said.
One parent was not ashamed to share that the struggle, is real.
Becky Oconnor of Hudson, said “If I didn’t have a partner I don’t know where I would be, it’s insane. I give props to anybody who’s out there who’s a single parent, or a grandparent or anybody doing it on their own. Because it’s insanity these days, especially with the prices of things.”
Dr. Mirgaine also shared that having supportive people around you, can really help you escape the day to day struggle.
“It’s really important to start to slowly build that community of support, maybe it’s another parent where you can exchange play dates or maybe it is a neighbor who can watch your child for a little bit or maybe it’s a relative who can come and stay.” Dr. Mirgain said
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U.S. Surgeon General brings awareness to parental mental health
