03-06-2025
Moms Are Experiencing a Big Mental Health Decline—Here's What Needs To Change
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
The fact that motherhood can be physically and emotionally grueling is not exactly breaking news. Anyone who is raising children can tell you as much. As I sit here writing this, my two young sons are right by my side; one is rambling on and the other is asking me what he can have for a snack and what he should build with his Legos. I'm also breastfeeding a 4-month-old. So I understand many of the demands of motherhood.
New research is now highlighting just how much of an impact motherhood can have on mental health. The study, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at 198, 417 female parents of kids from birth to 17 years of age, and uncovered a significant decline in mental health along with several disparities. It calls for the need of interventions that prevent, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.
What's causing this decline? Experts dive into leading theories and share what they encourage struggling moms to do.
The researchers—Jamie R. Daw, PhD, Colleen L. MacCallum-Bridges, PhD, and Lindsay K. Admon, MD, MSc—determined that from 2016 to 2023, moms have experienced 'meaningful declines' in their self-reported mental health.
Those who would rate their mental health as 'excellent' declined from 38.4% to 25.8%. Those who would rate it as 'good" rose from 18.8% to 26.1%, while "fair/poor" mental health ratings rose from 5.5% to 8.5%.
Physical health ratings also dropped, as the "excellent" category decreased from 28.0% to 23.9%.
It's important to note that both mental and physical health declines were most significant among single moms and those with a lower socioeconomic status.
Could the data simply be a sign that more women are finally being open about how hard it is to be a mom? It's possible, according to Jessica Vernon, MD, PMH-C, a board-certified OB-GYN, associate medical director and director of mental health at Oula, a midwifery based women's health startup in New York City, and author of Then Comes Baby.
She has seen more moms seeking mental health care in her office. 'We are in a mental health crisis and the maternal mental health crisis,' Dr. Vernon affirms, adding that this is not only dire for moms, but also for the kids who are being impacted as a result.
Moms are exhausted, says Mona Potter, MD, board-certified licensed child psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at InStride Health, which provides out-patient care for kids and teens with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 'More are just getting by or struggling,' she adds.
Dr. Potter points to the speed and demands of modern life and post-pandemic ripple effects. But there are more causes for declining mental health among moms."We are in a mental health crisis and the maternal mental health crisis."Traditionally, child care and household duties fall squarely on mothers. While there have been strides, moms are still taking on most of this responsibility. On top of that, one report shows moms handle about 73% of all cognitive household labor too.
'The work and time spent on caring for children is undervalued and often invisible," says Dr. Vernon. "Moms often carry the stress and burden of raising children without society acknowledging how this burden affects them. It leads to burnout and mental health struggles."
It can feel even more overwhelming when you're a working mom. Keep in mind, more homes require dual incomes due to the ever-rising costs of providing for a family. 'When women return to work, they still carry the majority of the burden of the home and caring for the children, increasing their stress, mental load, and burnout,' says Dr. Vernon.
With issues such as inflation, climate change, and political division, Dr. Vernon talks to moms who stay up at night worrying about the state of the world and the future.
Dr. Potter calls this information overload. For example, headlines about school shootings and hate crimes can cause an increase in stress for parents.
From winning at work and at home, to volunteering at school, and so much more, moms feel like they have to do it all—all the time—and allow themselves very little grace along the way.
'Mothers are still expected to be the nurturing, ever-available caregivers," says Dr. Potter. "But at the same time, we're told to prioritize self-care, maintain careers, and raise independent kids.' It's exhausting!
Social media and our increasingly digital existence can lead to increased loneliness, guilt, and comparisons. 'I've seen how profoundly social media has shaped not just how we parent, but how we feel about parenting," shares Dana Wogahn, LCSW at BetterHelp. "At a fundamental level, it's transformed the emotional landscape of parenthood."
According to Wogahn, we've created a culture for moms where there's no winning. Breast or bottle? Homeschool, public, or private school? And then there's a scroll through social media. 'Even when parents are genuinely doing their best, it often feels like there's always someone doing it better," adds Wogahn.
Hormonal fluctuations as part of menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause can impact emotional regulation, sometimes significantly, according to Dr. Potter.
The postpartum period can be especially challenging for birthing parents. Previous research has found that death by suicide accounts for up to 20% of postpartum deaths.
Despite mental health challenges on the rise, barriers to health care access make it difficult for many to get care. Even for those who have insurance, research shows there's often inadequate coverage, high out-of-pocket costs, and a lack of mental health professionals available. This leaves many mothers to suffer without appropriate care.
The experts we spoke with want moms to know more than anything that they aren't alone. 'Mental health challenges are incredibly common among mothers,' Wogahn says.
Dr. Vernon acknowledges that low-income individuals and those who are part of a marginalized group have higher rates of maternal mental health conditions—and are less likely to get the help they need.
Systemic changes are crucial and needed. Moms who are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, deserve access to care. While barriers can be an issue, speaking with a trusted health care professional is critical in those cases.
It's also important for moms to try and prioritize themselves. Ask for help when you need it, suggests Elisabeth LaMotte, licensed marriage and family therapist and member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). That can be from a partner, relative, close friend, or trusted neighbor. And set boundaries so that you have time for yourself. 'That might look like a weekly exercise class that's non-negotiable, a regular coffee date with friends, or even a weekend away,' LaMotte says.
Engaging in low-intensity exercise, such as walking, can benefit mental health. So can limiting social media intake, and letting go of the need to be perfect all the time. 'Children don't need perfect parents," says Dr. Potter. "They need attuned, reliable, and human ones."
This all is often easier said than done, but prioritizing your well-being may help to reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and burnout. 'Your mental health matters—not just because it affects your parenting, but because you matter," says Wogahn.
Read the original article on Parents
