Just 1 in 4 moms say they’re doing well mentally—new study reveals a growing crisis

Hey mama, how are you doing, really? 

If you’re like a lot of moms today, not so great. 

A comprehensive study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has unveiled a significant decline in maternal mental health across the United States. Analyzing data from 198,417 mothers with children aged 17 and under between 2016 and 2023, researchers found that the percentage of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health dropped from 38.4% to 25.8%. Additionally, those reporting “fair/poor” mental health increased from 5.5% to 8.5% during the same period.

Related: Are you feeling mom burnout? Here’s how to tell, according to a psychologist

The numbers don’t lie: Moms are struggling

The study also highlighted a decline in physical health among mothers, with those reporting “excellent” physical health decreasing from 28.0% to 23.9%. While “good” physical health reports rose from 24.3% to 28.1%, the proportion of mothers reporting “fair/poor” physical health remained relatively unchanged.

Who’s hurting most—and why

Mental health declines were observed across all socioeconomic subgroups. However, the study noted that “mental and physical health status was significantly lower for single female parents, those with lower educational attainment, and those with publicly insured children”.

While fathers also reported declines in both “excellent” physical and mental health over the eight-year period, they consistently reported better health scores than mothers. In 2023, the prevalence of “fair/poor” mental health was 4 percentage points higher among female parents compared to male parents.

The invisible load is real, and it’s growing

The study’s authors suggest several factors contributing to the decline in maternal mental health, including limited access to mental health care, social isolation, rising substance use disorders, and broader stressors such as inflation, racism, gun violence, and climate change.

These findings align with previous research indicating increases in depression and anxiety among pregnant and reproductive-aged women, as well as the general U.S. adult population.

Related: The invisible labor that’s breaking moms: How unequal mental load impacts mental health

Where do we go from here?

In light of these findings, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized the importance of supporting parents and caregivers. In his advisory titled “Parents Under Pressure,” he stated, “The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society. Additionally, we know that the well-being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the well-being of their children.”

Moms are burned out. They’re unwell. And it’s not going to get better until America decides to get invested in the well-being of our critical caregivers. 

Here’s the reality: Moms in America are not supported, and a lack of support at so many levels is simply bad for our mental health. We need a culture that centers on the importance of caregiving, workplaces that don’t punish us for becoming parents, and government policies that reward parents for having children. But instead, women today are financially, socially, professionally and mentally punished for becoming parents. 

Where’s the love?