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Forbes
12-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The Crisis No One Talks About: 29% Of Parents Have Considered Suicide
Despite having access to traditional benefits like paid leave and health insurance, nearly a third ... More of caregiving parents report suicidal thoughts. The real issue? A lack of human-centered support. A startling 29% of working parents have considered suicide or self-harm, according to 2025 Cost of Care Report. These aren't caregivers on the margins. They're employees in jobs that offer health insurance, paid leave and child care benefits. But benefits, it turns out, aren't the same as real support. And for many caregivers, the gap between the two can feel like a breaking point. Why have nearly a third of caregiving parents reported thoughts of ending their lives? After all, their employers are offering support through traditional benefits. But access to benefits does not always translate to real-world relief. Caregiving is overwhelming and multifaceted. According to the report, the average parent manages five different care arrangements for children, aging loved ones, pets and more. More than half of adults in their 40s are part of the sandwich generation—caring for both kids and older parents. This pressure doesn't stop when the workday starts. It follows them home and to work, often without a break or backup plan. Studies have consistently found that stressful life events—including financial strain, caregiving burdens and interpersonal conflict—are significant risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These stressors are linked to increased suicide risk even when accounting for mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD. One of the most overlooked but impactful stressors is job insecurity. The fear of losing one's job is intensified by caregiving responsibilities. When workers struggle to meet expectations due to outside demands, they begin to question their job stability and long-term career prospects. This fear is especially acute in high-pressure industries that rely on layoffs, restructures or performance-based reviews. And when job security is already fragile, economic uncertainty only magnifies those concerns. According to LinkedIn's Workforce Confidence survey, 2025's economic volatility has made employees feel less secure about their careers, finances and long-term growth. While many companies offer employee benefits like backup child care or paid leave, they often remain underutilized. And many employees aren't even aware these benefits exist. report found that while 69% of employees report moderate to high risk of burnout, only 45% of employers recognize that risk in their workforce. The day-to-day experience of caregiving is exhausting and isolating. True support is more than what's listed in a benefits handbook. It's shaped by how those benefits are understood, accessed and normalized within workplace culture. Support looks like flexibility without stigma, mental health resources without shame, and leadership that models empathy. Benefits might say 'you're covered,' but support says 'you're not alone.' Even when benefits are available, workplace culture doesn't always make room for empathy. In always-on environments, caregivers often feel that asking for time off or help could hurt their reputation—or even their job security. They may avoid using benefits out of fear they'll seem less committed, promotable or reliable. That fear, paired with stigma and emotional exhaustion, can leave caregivers feeling invisible and unsupported. Support is human, active and ongoing. It's cultivated in environments where people aren't afraid to say, 'I need help.' Employers can no longer assume that offering benefits is enough. Until caregiving is normalized, protected and resourced with empathy, we will continue to fail the very people who keep our families, workplaces and communities running.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nearly 1 in 3 parents have considered suicide or self-harm—American parents are in crisis
Parenting has always been demanding, but the latest findings from the 2025 Cost of Care Report by reveal a crisis of unprecedented proportions. The report surveyed 3,000 U.S. parents of children 14 and under who currently pay for professional child care, providing a comprehensive look at the financial and emotional toll of caregiving. Among the findings: 29% of parents have considered suicide or self-harm due to the overwhelming financial and emotional burdens of caregiving. This statistic is a gut punch, laying bare the dire reality facing millions of parents who are stretched too thin, financially depleted, and emotionally burned out. These numbers aren't just about stress—they signal a national emergency in caregiving. If nearly one in three parents is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, we have a moral and societal obligation to act. The report underscores a stark truth: caregiving isn't just about raising children—it's a relentless, multifaceted job that encompasses elder care, household management, and professional obligations. According to the data, the average parent is responsible for five loved ones, balancing the needs of children, aging parents, and even pets while also juggling work and everyday life. This unrelenting pressure manifests in alarming ways: 90% of parents report losing sleep 80% say they've cried from stress (90% for moms) 75% feel a persistent sense of dread 71% report physical health issues caused by caregiving stress 73% experience relationship tension or marital strain And then there's the financial toll: , with the average family spending upwards of $14,400 annually on care across child care, elder care, and household help. Parents are making profound sacrifices to afford this, with one-third dipping into savings and 20% going into debt. Related: The invisible labor that's breaking moms: How unequal mental load impacts mental health There's no single reason behind this crisis—rather, a confluence of broken systems and impossible expectations have created a perfect storm of parental burnout. Here's what's driving it: Care costs are unsustainable. Families are paying thousands of dollars a year just to cover basic caregiving needs, with child care alone consuming 22% of the average household budget. Without better policies, parents are left to fend for themselves in a market that is simply unaffordable. Care solutions are unreliable. Finding and maintaining quality care is an ongoing struggle. 52% of parents say it takes them more than two months to find new care—and with frequent schedule and budget changes, parents are constantly searching for new options. Personal sacrifice is the norm. The work of caregiving often comes at the expense of personal well-being. Parents report missing out on an average of 34 important life commitments per year—from birthdays and holidays to work obligations and weddings—because they simply can't find or afford care. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health due to caregiving stress, know that you are not alone and help is available. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7, free, and confidential support. Postpartum Support International: Call 1-800-944-4773 or text 'HELP' to 800-944 for maternal mental health support. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for immediate crisis support from trained professionals. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text 'NAMI' to 741741 for mental health resources and support. Local Support Groups and Therapy: Many local communities offer parenting support groups, maternal mental health therapists, and crisis counseling services. Check with your primary care provider or mental health professionals for recommendations. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend, partner, or professional—you don't have to navigate this alone. Parents are not okay, and they are demanding solutions. According to the report, the majority believe real change must come from both government and employers: 87% support expanded 79% say employer-subsidized caregiving benefits are essential Beyond policy and workplace changes, parents also see technology as a critical piece of the puzzle—calling for platforms that streamline caregiving logistics, connect them with trusted care providers, and help them manage the mental load of family life. But perhaps most urgently, parents need a cultural shift that recognizes worthy of real support. They need relief from the crushing expectation that they must do it all—without adequate help, without financial support, and without rest. Related: 7 simple things you can do right now if you're feeling overwhelmed When parents suffer, children suffer. Families suffer. Communities suffer. We are watching an entire generation of caregivers buckle under the weight of impossible expectations, and we cannot afford to ignore their pain. The solutions exist. , , , and are not radical ideas—they are necessary interventions that could prevent another parent from feeling like they have nowhere to turn. It's time for policymakers, businesses, and communities to step up. Because no parent should feel so hopeless that they consider ending their own life. Parents deserve better. And we need to make that happen—now. Related: It's time for employers to stop penalizing parents who take paid family leave
