Your kids are everything, but you need to look after yourself too!
Julia Davies
Being a parent is one of those roles that doesn’t come with an “off” switch. Even when you’re heading into work, attending meetings, or trying to focus on the task in front of you, a part of your mind is still holding space for everything happening at home. Whether it’s a child who’s going through a challenging phase, a worry from the morning rush, or simply the continuous mental list parents carry, it all travels with you. And when life gets busy, that mental load can make it harder to concentrate, stay organised, or feel fully present in the moment.
Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD), held each year on 30th January, is a gentle reminder of just how important it is to acknowledge this reality. It highlights the vital link between the wellbeing of parents and carers and the wellbeing of the whole family. When the adults who support children feel understood, supported, and mentally well, the entire household benefits. A calmer parent can help create a calmer environment; a supported parent can support more effectively.
The aim of PMHD isn’t to add pressure or suggest that parents should be doing more—it’s quite the opposite. It’s about recognising that parents and carers already carry a huge emotional and practical responsibility. It’s about understanding that mental health is shaped by many factors, including stress, sleep, connection, nutrition and access to support. And it’s about encouraging conversations that help parents feel less alone with the weight they’re carrying.
What makes this day so valuable is its focus on awareness and compassion. Parenting involves making countless decisions, managing expectations, and navigating unexpected challenges, all while trying to maintain balance. Even on the best days, it can feel like spinning plates. On the tougher days, it can feel overwhelming. PMHD encourages us to pause and acknowledge that these feelings are valid.
It also reminds workplaces, friends, and communities that supporting parents doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s offering flexibility, checking in, or simply understanding that someone may not be at their sharpest when things are difficult at home.
Most importantly, Parent Mental Health Day opens the door to conversations about seeking support without judgement. No one benefits from parents pushing through in silence. When parents take care of their mental health—whether through rest, connection, reflection, or professional help—it strengthens the entire family’s wellbeing.
So on 30th January, and every day, let’s remind parents and carers that their mental health matters too.
Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD), held each year on 30th January, is a gentle reminder of just how important it is to acknowledge this reality. It highlights the vital link between the wellbeing of parents and carers and the wellbeing of the whole family. When the adults who support children feel understood, supported, and mentally well, the entire household benefits. A calmer parent can help create a calmer environment; a supported parent can support more effectively.
The aim of PMHD isn’t to add pressure or suggest that parents should be doing more—it’s quite the opposite. It’s about recognising that parents and carers already carry a huge emotional and practical responsibility. It’s about understanding that mental health is shaped by many factors, including stress, sleep, connection, nutrition and access to support. And it’s about encouraging conversations that help parents feel less alone with the weight they’re carrying.
What makes this day so valuable is its focus on awareness and compassion. Parenting involves making countless decisions, managing expectations, and navigating unexpected challenges, all while trying to maintain balance. Even on the best days, it can feel like spinning plates. On the tougher days, it can feel overwhelming. PMHD encourages us to pause and acknowledge that these feelings are valid.
It also reminds workplaces, friends, and communities that supporting parents doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s offering flexibility, checking in, or simply understanding that someone may not be at their sharpest when things are difficult at home.
Most importantly, Parent Mental Health Day opens the door to conversations about seeking support without judgement. No one benefits from parents pushing through in silence. When parents take care of their mental health—whether through rest, connection, reflection, or professional help—it strengthens the entire family’s wellbeing.
So on 30th January, and every day, let’s remind parents and carers that their mental health matters too.