Parent mental health and wellbeing in decline

The new Parentline Overview 2013 shows that mental health and wellbeing issues faced by parents and carers contacting the service have increased significantly over the past year.

SUPPORT. COUNSELLING. EDUCATION.

The report shows that across all calls to the Parentline service last year, contacts about parent mental health and emotional wellbeing increased by close to three per cent.

This is the highest increase since 2012, with some callers needing urgent intensive support services.

53 per cent of parents and carers said they were coping with the mental stress but needed support and 29 per cent said their issue was interfering with their parenting. General Manager of Counselling Services, Wendy Protheroe

On average, Parentline counsellors respond to 211 parent and carer contacts each week.

The top five concerns reported last year were: 1. Challenging behaviour and discipline 2. Parent-child relationships 3. Child mental health/emotional wellbeing 4. Parenting strategies 5. Parent mental health/emotional wellbeing.

Worries about work or money, relationship issues and child behavioural problems cause stress for parents and carers. Parentline counsellors are here to help.

For counselling support call Parentline 1300 30 1300 or use the email or web counselling services www.parentline.com.au

Parentline receives funding from the Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment and the Northern Territory Department of Children and Families.

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