“Parental stress is a significant public health issue, surgeon general says in new advisory.”
“Surgeon General Advisory: We Need to Fix Parental Stress”
“Parental stress is so debilitating, the surgeon general has declared it a public health issue.”
“Surgeon general's new warning: Parents are stressed out.”
“Surgeon general advisory: Parents need mental health support amid youth crisis.”
You may have seen these recent headlines highlighting a new advisory from the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, about parent and caregiver stress. An overarching theme throughout the advisory and in his Op Ed in the New York Times is we must do more to better support parents and caregivers.
These stress and mental health challenges are a serious public health concern, and, amid a youth mental health crisis, the work of raising a child is critically important when it comes to the impact on the future of society.
If you are a parent or caregiver, caring for yourself is a key part of how you care for your family. It can be difficult to prioritize yourself amid the demands, but even small investments in stress-reducing activities can make a meaningful difference.
Programs like our free, monthly HOPE Series are designed to help reduce stress, offer support, and build resilience. With a rotating instructor and arts practice each month, attendees experience how the arts can be of benefit to their well-being, while gathering together in a supportive, virtual community. In the coming months, HOPE Instructors will lead attendees through creating an emotional toolkit, mapping resiliency, exploring mindfulness through art, and looking ahead to the new year.
Are you in search of a practical resource you can use throughout your parenting journey with children or teens? Our Founder and Director, Ping Ho, and faculty member, Erica Curtis, have written a book for incorporating creativity into parenting.
All of us can look for everyday ways to support the parents and caregivers in our lives. If you are in need of customized resources for your school, organization, or workplace, our broad spectrum of social emotional arts programs are available to help create supportive spaces for connection and stress reduction. Reach out to our Community Initiatives Manager, Heidi Parker at heidi@artsandhealinginitiative.org.