There is a concerning trend among mothers in the United States—a sharp decline in mental health that has escalated as a public health issue. A study released recently in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that since 2016, 64% of American moms say their mental health has taken a serious downturn. Not only is this erosion of their emotional well-being but also of their physical health. Incidentally, fathers have not seen this same precipitous decline, and this reflects a gendered gap in parental health that needs to be addressed immediately.

The long-term study polled a staggering 198,417 mothers between the ages of 17 and their children, monitoring their self-assessment mental and physical health status from 2016 to 2023. They answered on a scale of four—excellent, very good, good, and fair/poor. The findings were dramatic: the proportion of mothers stating "excellent" mental health fell from 38.4% to a mere 25.8%, while the number marking their mental health as "fair/poor" rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. This is equivalent to a 63.6% relative improvement in mothers with the worst mental health status over seven years.

Physical health, though less affected dramatically, was also in decline. The proportion of mothers reporting "excellent" physical health fell from 28% to 23.9%, and while the "fair/poor" physical health category remained fairly stable, incremental declines in well-being were apparent. Importantly, the research identified that minoritized racial groups reported significantly higher levels of poor physical health than non-Hispanic White mothers, highlighting the additive impact of racial inequalities on health.

Who is Most Impacted?

The evidence revealed stark inequalities among the population of mothers. Mothers with lower levels of education, uninsured or publicly insured children, U.S.-born mothers, and single parents reported poorer physical and mental health outcomes compared to their peers. These indicators point towards socioeconomic issues and institutional hindrances being intricately linked with the mental illness epidemic in American mothers.

Single mothers, in particular, shoulder a disproportionate burden, frequently balancing economic pressures, child caregiving responsibilities, and meager social support. The precipitous decline in mental health within this population is staggering, with far-reaching consequences not only for the mothers but also for children and families.

Fathers' Mental and Physical Health

In a marked contrast with mothers, fathers indicated improved overall mental and physical health across the duration of the study. Although there were modest declines among male parents too, their self-ratings of "excellent" health were still significantly higher. For instance, just 4.5% of fathers rated "fair/poor" mental health in 2023, as opposed to 8.5% of mothers. This difference seriously questions the social and cultural expectations put upon mothers and the resources at their disposal.

Why Moms Are Struggling The Most?

Experts say a variety of factors are behind the decline in mental health of mothers. The demands of juggling work, parenting, and domestic duties have grown more onerous in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic especially amplified these stressors, with added childcare demands, home-schooling, and employment insecurity falling most heavily on women.

Additionally, expectations from society continue to put many of the caregiving and emotional labor responsibilities on mothers. Without systemic support in the forms of paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and accessible mental health services, these pressures are exacerbated.

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General through 2023, has characterized parental mental health as "a serious public health concern" and urged concrete assistance for parents who were "pushed to the brink." His words demonstrate increased agreement among health officials that more than awareness is needed to address this crisis—action is demanded.

The research results struck a chord on social media platforms such as Reddit, where several mothers recounted their own experiences. One of the commenters bemoaned the absence of care from society for the mental health of women, providing examples of strict policy measures that affect reproductive choices and healthcare provision. Another noted the glaring correlation between the lack of mother support in a nation and the consequent deterioration in mental health.

These responses underscore a shared sense of frustration and draw attention to the urgent need for policy reforms and systems of support within communities that acknowledge and reduce the singular burdens of mothers.

5 Ways To Enhance Mental Health Among Mothers

While systematic change is necessary, personal methods to enhance mental health can provide momentary relief for numerous mothers. Evidence-based practices include:

1. Prioritize Sleep

Sufficient, quality sleep—preferably 7-9 hours per night—is essential for mood stabilization, cognitive functioning, and stress reduction. Consistent sleep habits should be prioritized by mothers even in hectic lifestyles.

2. Establish Strong Social Connections

Friend and family support decreases isolation and promotes emotional resilience. Peer groups or parenting networks can be a vital source of experience-sharing coping.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction

Mindfulness strategies, such as meditation, slow breathing, and physical journals, keep mothers centered and calm by concentrating on the here and now instead of anxious thoughts about their future.

4. Be Active Routinely

Exercise increases endorphins, which enhance mood and minimize symptoms of depression and anxiety. Even just moderate daily movement can be beneficial.

5. Get Professional Help

Therapy, counseling, or psychiatric treatment can provide individualized interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication when necessary, to stabilize mental health.

The study’s authors emphasize the urgent need for targeted investments to identify and tackle the root causes of mental health decline among U.S. mothers, especially those in low socioeconomic groups. Policies promoting paid parental leave, expanded childcare services, affordable healthcare, and mental health coverage are critical steps toward reversing this trend.

Additionally, workplace flexibility, stigma reduction, and community-based support programs can create environments where mothers feel supported rather than overwhelmed. The mental health crisis for U.S. mothers is not a short-term problem, it is an enduring public health crisis with far-reaching consequences that cascade through families and society.

India has made commendable progress in maternal health over the past few years. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) dropped from 130 deaths per 100,000 live births (2014–16) to 97 in 2018–19. Yet, experts argue that now is the time to move beyond just reducing deaths—towards strengthening maternal well-being, long-term recovery, and dignity.

Girish Agarwal, co-founder and COO of Zeno Health, a generic medicine delivery brand, shares, as reported in India Today, how improving access to essential medicines can be the next big step in this journey.

The Hidden Cost of Nutritional Deficiencies

Maternal nutrition is often reduced to calorie intake—but that’s only part of the picture. True maternal health depends on access to key micronutrients that support foetal growth, improve maternal immunity, and speed up postpartum recovery.

However, deficiencies remain a significant problem. As per the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21), 52.2% of pregnant women in India are anaemic. This is more than a health statistic; it signals a gap in equitable access to vital care—particularly among low-income and rural households.

These deficiencies are linked to complications such as low birth weight, premature delivery, and chronic fatigue after childbirth. Fortunately, many of these issues can be prevented with consistent access to supplements and timely medical care.

Moving from Crisis to Continuity

While antenatal care in India has improved, postnatal care remains uneven—especially in underserved areas. According to a 2023 NITI Aayog report, women in rural regions are almost twice as likely to face complications post-childbirth compared to those in urban settings.

This disparity points to more than just inadequate infrastructure. It highlights the need for sustained and affordable healthcare models that work in real-world conditions—beyond just big cities and well-funded hospitals.

Generics: A Scalable, Affordable Solution

One of the most practical ways to close this gap is through high-quality generic medicines and supplements. These can drastically cut costs for families without compromising on efficacy.

However, affordability alone is not enough. Generic medicines must be embedded in a system of trust and accessibility. That means empowering pharmacists, making generics part of regular health conversations, and ensuring last-mile delivery systems that work consistently across geographies.

Building Trust in What’s Affordable

There’s a persistent myth that affordable means inferior. To shift this perception, public confidence in generic medicines must be reinforced through transparent communication, pharmacist training, and quality assurance.

Generic medicines shouldn’t be seen as second-best. They can help transform maternal healthcare from a series of emergency interventions to a continuous, proactive care system. With the right support, they offer not just cost savings—but a path to health equity and long-term maternal well-being.

Not too long ago, it was parents who sighed at their children’s screen time. Now, increasingly, it’s children who plead for their parents to put the phone down. Whether at the dinner table, playground, or during bedtime stories, the modern family dynamic is shifting — and not always for the better.

From Helicopter to Half-Present Parenting

There’s a name for the phenomenon: “technoference.” Coined by researchers at the University of Wollongong, Australia, the term refers to digital distractions that interfere with family interactions. Their recent review of 21 studies — spanning 10 countries and nearly 15,000 participants — shows how significant this interference has become.

When parents frequently check phones or scroll through social media around young children, the impact can be deep and far-reaching. The review found consistent associations between parental phone use and weaker cognitive skills, more behavior problems, and greater screen dependency in kids. In other words, distracted parenting could be stunting a child’s emotional and intellectual growth.

“When parents frequently engage with screen-based devices in the presence of their children, the children’s efforts to interact or seek attention may be met with delayed, dismissive, shallow, or absent responses,” the researchers noted.

The Numbers Behind the Trend

The data is alarming. According to the University of Wollongong study:

• Over 70% of parents use their devices during meals or playtime.
• 89% check their phones at least once during parent-child interactions every day.

Children with such distracted caregivers are more likely to show anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, and attachment issues.

The issue goes beyond missing out on a moment — it may be shaping a child’s development in subtle but serious ways.

A Role Reversal

The generational shift is further emphasized by a Common Sense Media survey that highlights how teenagers are increasingly worried about their parents' screen habits — and are even pulling back themselves. According to the 2023 survey:

• 52% of parents felt they spent too much time on mobile devices (up from 27% in 2016).
• Only 39% of teens felt the same (down from 61%).
• 45% of parents now say they feel “addicted” to their phones.

Interestingly, while mutual concern about screen time has grown, actual arguments about it have declined. Parents and teens are fighting less, even as both silently resent the other’s screen habits. As Michael Robb, senior research director at Common Sense Media, put it, “It’s a really weird finding.”

Why It Matters

Beyond the cognitive and emotional toll on children, parents themselves are affected. Device use before bed, waking up to check phones, and constant alerts are interfering with adult sleep patterns, stress levels, and relationships — leading to a more disconnected home environment.

In experimental settings where researchers interrupted parent-child interactions with phone calls or messages, toddlers responded with visible distress — showing more negative emotions and trying harder to regain attention.

What Can Be Done?

Experts aren’t asking parents to ditch tech altogether — rather, they recommend setting firm boundaries. This includes:

• Device-free dinners
• No phones during bedtime routines
• Co-viewing digital content instead of isolating screen use
• Creating “sacred spaces” (like bedrooms) where phones are off-limits

For families hoping to reconnect, these small steps can make a big difference. In a world of infinite scroll, a few uninterrupted minutes with your child could mean everything.

As tech continues to evolve, so must parenting. The challenge is not just managing our children’s screen time — but also managing our own.

As a kid, the first day at school could be really anxiety-inducing, an emotional rollercoaster, of course. From saying goodbye to a parent to navigating the unfamiliar sights and sounds, it could altogether be an overwhelming experience. However, could something as subtle as a ceiling design help?

A recent study suggests that improving acoustics in preschool classrooms—specifically by reducing noise—can have a calming effect on children and improve their ability to speak and listen.

The Impact of Sound on Preschoolers

The study, led by Ikuri Matsuoka, a master’s student at Kumamoto University in Japan, focused on how sound-absorbing ceilings influenced young children during indoor activities. The research was presented at a meeting of the Acoustical Society of America held in New Orleans.

According to Matsuoka, most classrooms in Japan lack any kind of sound-absorbing materials. “My motivation was to make people aware of the importance of acoustics in classrooms,” Matsuoka said. “In Japan, there are no standards or guidelines for acoustic design of preschool and school classrooms.”

This lack of attention to classroom acoustics can have a significant impact. Many preschoolers are still developing their language skills, and noisy or echo-filled environments can make it difficult for them to communicate effectively. Such conditions can also increase stress levels, leading to more frequent crying or even louder talking as children try to be heard.

A Sound Experiment

To explore the impact of soundproofing, Matsuoka and the research team installed polyester fiberboard—a sound-absorbing material—on the ceiling of one preschool classroom. They then compared this classroom with another that had no such acoustic enhancements.

Over six months, the team used video and audio recordings to track how loudly children spoke and how often they cried. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools helped analyze the data without the need for constant manual observation.

The results were clear: children in the classroom without soundproofing were significantly louder. Teachers were also interviewed four times during the study. Three out of four noted a noticeable difference in sound quality. One veteran teacher with 25 years of experience even remarked that she felt more comfortable talking to children in the treated classroom.

A Call to Action

“Our research shows that reduced reverberation can mitigate noisy environments and promote clearer communication for children,” Matsuoka said.

The study offers a compelling case for educators, architects, and policymakers to consider acoustic design when planning learning environments for young children. While findings presented at conferences are considered preliminary until published in peer-reviewed journals, the research highlights an often-overlooked factor that could significantly improve preschool experiences.

In a world where early learning is increasingly emphasized, something as simple as a quieter classroom may play a key role in helping children thrive.