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Supporting mental health and wellbeing is important for everyone. For parents, it can be especially important given the pressures they may face and the need for strategies to help them manage these challenges. We also know that poor parental mental health can negatively affect children, making appropriate and timely support even more important.
Research shows that when parents experience poor mental health, children are more likely to face difficulties with their own mental health, learning and school attendance. This makes timely support in the early years especially important, as this is a key window for prevention.
Research shows that when parents experience poor mental health, children are more likely to face difficulties in their own mental health, learning and school attendance, which makes early support especially important in the early years as a key window for prevention.
At the same time, not all parents want, need or can access clinical support such as therapy or support from perinatal mental teams: many say they need support with parenting, practical help, emotional support and, opportunities for self-care and socialising. This points to the importance of accessible, family-focused support that responds to parents’ wellbeing needs while also strengthening parent-child relationships and children’s outcomes (Barnardos, 2023; Department of Health and Social Care, 2022; Parsons et al, 2021; Ramchandani et al, 2008; Dept of Health and Social Care, 2024; Scottish Government, 2010; Dept of Health, 2011; Kamis, 2001; Dept for Education, 2025; ONS, 2026; NSPCC, 2023; Furlong et al, 2021).
Contents of this guide
- Advice for parents to look after their mental health and wellbeing
- What parents want to support their mental health and wellbeing
- Further resources to support parents and families
1. Advice for parents to look after their mental health and wellbeing
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Read
Read the CBeebies parent wellbeing and mental health resources which offers advice on a range of topics for parents.
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Read and watch
Read and watch this resource from the mental health charity Anna Freud which offers guidance on the importance of self-care for parents and carers.
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Think about these questions:
- What key messages from the resources are most relevant to your work with families?
- How might you use a resource like this with parents to support their understanding of mental health and wellbeing?
- How do you currently create opportunities for parents to talk openly about their wellbeing? What changes could you make to ensure wellbeing conversations are a routine part of your practice?
- From your experience, are there other tips that could be added to this list?
2. What parents want to support their mental health and wellbeing
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Read
Although this guide from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) on Think Family is no longer current, page 9-10 in particular are still useful for understanding what parents want to support their mental health and wellbeing.
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Think about these questions:
- To what extent do these things match your experience of supporting parents with mental health needs?
- What stands out to you most from this list of what parents want to support their mental health and wellbeing?
- How do you build trusting relationships that encourage honest conversations about mental health and wellbeing and available support?
- Is there anything else you could do to enhance the support you offer parents at your setting?
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3. Further resources to support parents and families
- Hearts and Minds Partnership have a wealth of resources for parents and professionals and has a useful local service map.
- The Maternal Mental Health Alliance has a perinatal mental health symptom checker which can be used by parents.
- PANDAS offers information and support for dad’s experiencing mental health challenges.
- Lonely Parents has a range of resources for specific groups of parents and addressing specific needs. See their resources for supporting:
- The NHS has a range of guides, tools and activities designed to improve individual’s mental health.
- Mental health charity Anna Freud has created guidance on the importance of self-care for parents and carers.
- The charity YoungMinds has developed a guide for young parents on looking after their mental health and wellbeing.
- Children’s Charity Coram offers direct support for parents and families via their Family Lives service. This includes a telephone helpline, WhatsApp helpline, live chat service, email service and free online parenting courses.