Number of mentally ill Britons estimated: counting in millions

A survey has found that millions of parents in the UK experience mental health problems. UNICEF research in Britain shows that parents feel anxious, lonely and unsupported, with the poorest families suffering the most.

A new survey shows millions of UK parents are struggling with their mental health amid rising costs of living, a lack of childcare and fewer support services, The Guardian writes.

Sixty-one percent of respondents expressed concern about their mental health, with those on lower incomes most likely to be affected, a UNICEF UK survey found.

Parents varied in their response that in the past 12 months they always or most of the time felt depressed (49%), anxious (43%), unsupported (36%) and lonely (26%).

Meanwhile, 70% of parents with babies and young children said being a parent in Britain is becoming more difficult every year, and 70% believe being a parent today is more difficult than it was for their parents’ generation.

The figures come from a YouGov survey for the charity of 2,661 parents of children under four in the UK in July.

John Sparks, Executive Director of UNICEF UK, comments: “The lack of support for families comes at a critical stage in the development of infants and young children, threatening life chances and placing increasing pressure on families.”

The rising cost of living (83%) was the most common reason why Britons surveyed felt it was now more difficult for them to be parents. More than two thirds (68%) of parents said they had had a harder time due to a lack of childcare, 64% felt they had less time to spend with their children and 41% said there were fewer local support services . Parents also said housing costs (78%) and the dangers of social media (75%) make raising children in their generation more difficult.

Two thirds (68%) of respondents said they do not think the government is doing enough to support them as parents of young children.

Thirty percent of parents reported that they worked more in the past year due to increased financial pressure, while 37% had less time to read, play and cook healthy meals with their children.

Sparks said: “These findings provide a clear picture of the reality for many families with babies and young children right now – worried about their children’s future, struggling to make ends meet and experiencing feelings of anxiety, loneliness and lack of support. It is vital that families can access essential services such as maternity care, health checks, mental health support, affordable and high-quality childcare and support for people with special educational needs and disabilities. These services, while essential for everyone, can be a lifeline for families experiencing financial hardship and/or mental health issues.”

The research also revealed stark inequalities, with 94% of the poorest households reporting the cost of living crisis had a negative impact on family life, compared with 78% of all parents with young children.

“The fact that the most disadvantaged families experience more difficulties and are least likely to access support means we risk perpetuating inequality in children’s lives before they even pick up a pencil,” Sparks said. “Urgent government action is needed to close the gaps to stop families falling through the cracks and protect our babies and children’s futures.”