F E A T U R E
THE
PARENTS S
Parent Mental Health Day served as a vital reminder of the importance of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of parents, guardians and carers. Parents make up a significant proportion of those experiencing mental health challenges in the UK, 68 % of women and 57 % of men, highlighting the urgent need for tailored support. However, mental health doesn’ t exist in isolation, when a parent is struggling, the impact is often felt across the entire family.
Ensuring parents receive the right support is crucial, not just for their own wellbeing, but for their children too. Whether it’ s financial stress, the pressure of balancing work and family life or concerns about their child’ s mental health, these challenges can take a significant toll, and employers have a unique opportunity to play a key role in supporting parents, creating healthier workplaces and more resilient families.
The mental health challenges of parents
Parenting is rewarding, but it can sometimes also be an overwhelming experience. With parents making up 43 % of the UK workforce( around 13 million people), their mental health directly impacts both their personal lives and workplace performance. Balancing work and family life often leads to a mental load that many parents carry silently.
From managing children’ s schedules and household tasks to the pressures of excelling at work, this invisible burden can lead to burnout. Many parents stretch themselves thin trying to meet the competing demands of home and work, leaving little time for self-care. On top of this, financial stress, worsened by the rising cost of living and childcare expenses, adds further pressure, while some can experience guilt for not spending enough time with children due to work commitments. For many parents, the challenges are compounded by concerns about their children’ s mental health.
Research shows that one in three parents worried about their children’ s mental health have considered reducing their working hours, and 1 % have left their jobs entirely.
A study from Deloitte estimates that such concerns are costing UK employers £ 8 billion annually in absenteeism and presenteeism.
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