The U.S. Surgeon General this summer released a public health advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents, highlighting the urgent need to support people who care for families and loved ones.
This advisory brings into the national conversation the significant long-term effects of stress on mental and physical health, and the heightened risks for symptoms of depression and anxiety in children whose parents are also struggling with these mental health concerns.
So why is the Surgeon General raising this now? And what can employers do about it?
HR professionals and leaders have a critical opportunity to address these concerns in the workplace. To help identify the types of benefits and resources that could help working parents and caregivers in your workforce, Teladoc Health conducted a consumer survey of nearly 450 parents in October 2024 (see box).
The responses from the survey reveal that the ability to manage personal health, along with the rising cost of living, are the top stressors in respondents’ lives. Healthcare pressures are particularly acute for parents whose children have physical, mental or social challenges.
Health challenges in children are causing parental burnout
The survey explored the multifaceted issue of parental stressors, specifically examining work-life balance, financial pressures, and the demands of raising a child with physical, mental or social challenges.
Parents whose children struggle with health challenges were twice as likely to say they had been very or extremely stressed during the previous three months (53 percent) compared to those whose children do not have the same issues (27 percent).
Additionally, more than half of parents with health-challenged children said they were on a path to burnout. Contributing to this fear were concerns about the future of their own mental health (68 percent) and their inability to sleep well (67 percent). Interestingly, men reported being more concerned about potential burnout than women (63 percent vs. 41 percent), given the pressures of managing children with healthcare concerns.
Respondents noted they ignore the “put your own oxygen mask on first” directive when it comes to seeking healthcare for their children. Eighty-four percent said they delay their own healthcare in favor of assuring their family’s needs are met – in part because of work and scheduling constraints.
Even while they prioritize treatment for their children, 84 percent of parents said they were forced to delay children’s care because they were unable to take time from work.
Preventing stress through virtual care
Respondents noted it was difficult to find time within the confines of their work schedules to access appropriate care. In addition, they expressed concerns about the affordability of services they and their children require.
Those surveyed recognized that the availability of virtual care provides significant relief. Nearly 80% of parents said they would be likely to use virtual healthcare again in the future, most likely for their children’s mental or social health challenges. This likelihood is elevated among parents who have children with health challenges, such as a chronic condition, mental health concern, or a social or behavioral condition.
Thirty-seven percent of respondents said the principal advantage of virtual care is decreasing the stress associated with scheduling in-person appointments. Another 37 percent identified the ease of finding a qualified provider with ample availability as the most important benefit, and 33 percent of participants cited affordability and the flexibility of appointment times.*
Virtual care provides corporate leaders with an effective and affordable way to reduce these burdens for employees. Offered as a component of their health benefits, virtual care has proven to improve access for adults, children and adolescents because it offers convenient appointment scheduling, and makes available a wide range of qualified primary and specialty providers.
The Teladoc Health survey found that employees – and consumers in general – are highly comfortable using virtual care. Seventy percent of parents with health-challenged children reported they had used virtual care in the recent past to address their children’s health needs or their own mental health. Notably, they were extremely satisfied, with 76 percent reporting positive experiences when using virtual care for mental health. Satisfaction likewise remained high at 72 percent for parents who do not parent children with health issues. The majority of respondents said they would be likely to use virtual services in the future.
Without a doubt, virtual care is positioned to play a significant role in helping HR leaders reduce stress levels among employees. Virtual primary and specialty care, paired with mental health support and coaching available virtually and digitally, can help prevent burnout. When equipped with virtual care options, parents are better able to stay healthy because they have greater access to convenient and affordable care for themselves and their families.
*Survey offered multiple-choice options so results do not equal 100 percent.
