Surgeon General issues advisory on parental stress: The impact on children and families

Parenthood is a chapter in people’s lives that changes them forever. Priorities, routines, and everything else shift for the safety and well-being of children. Mothers and fathers say that the sacrifice is worth it, but a new concern is rising among caregivers. Parental stress is stressors that impact parents’ and caregivers’ mental health and well-being. The severity of this matter is growing to the extent of where the Surgeon General has& issued& an advisory. Dr. Robin Gurwitch is a psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center. She explores this topic and shares why we must check on mom and dad as much as the kids.“We should take this matter very seriously because the alternative is unthinkable. We are seeing mental health crises affecting our children and the adults that are taking care of them. If we do not see that this is a problem and take steps to change the course, then we’re not serving our next generation at all.” said Dr. Robin Gurwitch.The surgeon general released his advisory in August. Items considered stressors for parents and caregivers are financial strains, children’s health and safety, and time demands. Factors in today’s...