U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents

“I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents” — Dr. Vivek Murthy

The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued a Health Advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents, recognizing that when parents thrive, so do their children.

The advisory highlights the need for greater mental health support for parents—especially during critical early years of a child’s development, where 33% of parents report high stress levels, compared to 20% among other adults.

The Surgeon General’s report emphasizes that addressing parental mental health is not just about helping individuals cope—it’s about improving family dynamics and outcomes for children’s well-being.

He mentions “financial strain and economic instability, time demands, concerns about children’s health and safety, parental isolation and loneliness, difficulty managing technology and social media, and cultural pressures” as unique demands faced by parents.

One key takeaway is that mental health is a family matter. When parents are mentally well, they’re more capable of forming strong, nurturing relationships with their children, which leads to better social, emotional, and cognitive development.

For the past decade, Early Engagement has advocated that empowering parents—especially dads—with tools, confidence, and community is critical for building strong foundations for their children’s futures, with our expert-designed StrongStart Programs™ pioneering fatherhood education and community support.

With this Health Advisory, our society takes another step in understanding the impact of parental confidence, mental wellness, and communication on their kid’s lifelong mental wellness.

You can read the full text of the Surgeon General’s health advisory here.