As Mother’s Day approaches during Mental Health Awareness Month, new data reveals a growing mental health crisis among mothers, with experts warning that traditional support systems are failing to meet their needs.
According to U.S. Surgeon General data, parents consistently report experiencing significantly higher stress levels than other adults, with 33% reporting high stress compared to 20% of non-parents. For mothers, the challenges are particularly acute.
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“Women, unfortunately, experience higher rates of mental illness than men,” explains Dr. Quianta Moore, Executive Director of The Hackett Center for Mental Health. “It’s multifactorial – we have hormonal changes that influence our mental health, plus these windows of brain plasticity where the brain is more malleable.”
The Mental Load: More Than Just Multitasking
Beyond biological factors, mothers today face unprecedented pressure managing both traditional and modern parenting demands.
This “mental load” phenomenon has become increasingly recognized as a significant stressor for mothers.
The checklist of things that need to get done to stay on routine with meals, sports, school pickup, summer childcare, etc.
Dr. Moore notes that women often carry this burden even in two-parent households.
“We find ourselves at probably one of the best times in history where we have equal opportunity and access... but also one of the most challenging times because of how we navigate parenting in this new day and age of technology,” Moore explained.
Rising Rates of Maternal Mental Health Challenges
The scope of maternal mental health issues may be larger than previously understood.
While postpartum depression is often cited as affecting one in five mothers, experts believe the actual numbers are higher due to underreporting and inadequate screening.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more than that because of under rates of diagnosis,” says Dr. Moore.
The stigma surrounding maternal mental health often prevents mothers from seeking help, with many feeling pressure to project an image of effortless capability.
“There is a shame or a guilt, right?” Moore said. “Parenting is not treated like every other job or skill. But it should be because there is a skill to parenting and there’s a plethora of research that shows certain parenting behaviors lead to better outcomes for both the parent and the child and certain parenting behaviors don’t. We’re clear about that. But even when I, as a medical professional, had my children, I remember when the nurse handed me my son, I felt like I am ill-prepared for this.”
The Isolation Factor
A striking statistic from the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent report shows that 65% of parents feel isolated. That statistic jumps to 77% when looking at single parents.
This isolation can be particularly damaging for mothers, who historically relied on community support systems that have eroded in modern society.
“The literature around isolation, loneliness, mental illness really is showing that these relationships that we have, these intimate partner relationships that we have, these friend circles that we have, this feeling of being in community – it’s crucial,” explains Dr. Moore.
Building Solutions Through Community Support
The Hackett Center has launched a comprehensive initiative to address maternal mental health through multiple approaches:
- Free monthly webinars featuring experts and mothers sharing lived experiences
- Regular roundtable discussions bringing together community leaders
- Development of issue briefs to guide policy recommendations
- Creation of support networks for mothers seeking connection
“We need a plan, we’ve got to do better in our city,” emphasizes Dr. Moore. “It’s not enough to just encourage self-care. We need to invest in parks, common places, and community spaces where mothers can find genuine connection and support.”
Looking Forward
As Mother’s Day celebrations approach, experts emphasize that while flowers and celebrations are nice gestures, what mothers truly need is sustained, systematic support throughout the year. This includes:
- Better screening for maternal mental health issues in healthcare settings
- Increased community support systems
- Enhanced workplace policies supporting work-life integration
- Greater awareness and destigmatization of maternal mental health challenges
For mothers seeking support, the Hackett Center offers free resources through their website.
Mental health experts emphasize that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness but a step toward stronger, healthier families and communities.
