Surgeon General’s Advisory on Parental Mental Health: 
Expert Reaction from Dr. Alexa Bonacquisti

October 14, 2024

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently issued an advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, urging better support for parents and caregivers nationwide. The advisory highlights the unique pressures parents face, the impact of prolonged stress on families, and the need for systemic changes to foster healthier communities.

According to the advisory, parents are more likely to report high levels of stress than other adults, with 33% saying they experienced significant stress in the past month. The ramifications of such stress are far-reaching: children raised by parents with mental health challenges face greater risks for conditions like anxiety and depression.

“Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society,” Murthy said, adding, “With this advisory, I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents.”

Expert Insights from a Clinical Psychologist

Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD, PMH-C, an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), understands the weight of these issues as a parent and as a licensed psychologist with expertise in reproductive health psychology. Bonacquisti’s work focuses on reproductive-related mood and anxiety disorders and coping with stressful reproductive events. The advisory has the potential to increase interest in therapy among parents and prospective parents, she said. 

“Potentially, those considering having children may feel apprehensive about the challenges of being a parent, but this advisory can help destigmatize the experience,” she said. “It validates that being a parent can be overwhelming, and that it’s OK to have these concerns.”

She also emphasized that parents often internalize stress as a personal failing, rather than recognizing broader societal pressures. “The advisory gives people an opportunity to seek help if they’re engaging in self-blame,” she added.

Early Intervention and Therapy Access

By fostering an environment where parents feel supported in seeking help and where mental healthcare is more accessible, experts like Bonacquisti say the U.S. can help address the mental health crisis affecting families today.

With 63 million parents raising children under the age of 18 in the U.S., the Surgeon General’s advisory calls for reliable mental healthcare access, paid family leave, affordable childcare, and support for community-based programs.

As a mother of two young children—a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son—Bonacquisti understands the daily challenges of parenting. “I think a lot about how to live out my values and what kind of life I want to create for my kids,” she said.

While she worries about their future, including issues like climate change and negative impacts of technology, her primary goal is to help her children live meaningful, full lives.

Bonacquisti works with families on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments. She hopes the advisory will encourage parents to seek support before stress turns into a crisis. Bonacquisti also noted that parents might think everyone is overwhelmed, which can prevent them from seeking help by downplaying their stressors.

“Parents may think therapy is only necessary after a significant event or serious symptoms,” she said. “But therapy is often more effective as a preventative measure. Parents should feel comfortable going to therapy because they are parents.”

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