Parental Mental Health & Well-Being | HHS.gov

HHS Strategies for Parental Mental Health and Well-Being

• Policy and Economic Support:
  • Advocacy for national paid family and medical leave and paid sick time.
  • Addressing economic and social barriers that contribute to mental health disparities.
  • Promoting workplace policies that support work-life harmony and manager training on stress management.
• Systemic and Community Interventions:
  • Expanding access to affordable, high-quality mental health care.
  • Strengthening school-based support programs and interdisciplinary partnerships between primary care and mental health professionals.
  • Implementing routine mental health screenings for parents and caregivers.
  • Supporting reentry and visitation programs for incarcerated parents.
  • Elevating the voices of parents to shape community-level investments and social infrastructure.
• Research and Data Priorities:
  • Conducting qualitative and community-based research to understand parental experiences.
  • Developing standardized measures for parental mental health and well-being.
  • Improving mental health data collection and prioritizing research on diverse family structures.
• Actionable Guidance for Individuals:
  • Prioritize self-care and nurture social connections with other caregivers.
  • Seek information on mental health symptoms and insurance coverage.
  • Offer practical support to parents in your personal life.
• Crisis and Support Resources:
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7).
  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7 support for pregnant and new mothers.
  • Resource Hubs: The page highlights various HHS-affiliated resources, including the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) mental health toolkits, "How Right Now" coping strategies, and training for recognizing mental health symptoms in others.