### Decline in U.S. Mothers' Mental Health from 2016 to 2023, New Study Reports

A recent comprehensive study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a troubling decline in the mental well-being of mothers across the United States between 2016 and 2023. The study indicates a marked decrease in the number of mothers who rate their mental health as "excellent," coupled with an increase in reports of poor mental health. This trend is especially pronounced among single parents and those whose children rely on Medicaid or lack insurance.

The mental health crisis among mothers is emerging during a contentious period in the national debate on parenting and birthrates. The Trump administration is reportedly considering initiatives to encourage marriage and childbearing among Americans. However, in a 2022 advisory, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the then-surgeon general, highlighted the deteriorating mental health of parents, describing many as "exhausted, burned out and perpetually behind."

Drawn to this alarming trend, researchers analyzed data from nearly 200,000 mothers who took part in the National Survey of Children's Health. This annual survey encompasses households with children up to the age of 17. The findings are stark: in 2016, one in 20 mothers reported their mental health as fair or poor. By 2023, this ratio had deteriorated to about one in 12. In contrast, the mental health of fathers seemed relatively stable, with one in 22 reporting fair or poor mental health in 2023.

Although the study's methodology has its limitations—it is cross-sectional and relies on self-reported data—it aligns with longstanding concerns among maternal mental health experts. Dr. Tamar Gur, director of the Soter Women's Health Research Program at Ohio State University, suggests that these findings could offer some solace to struggling mothers by letting them know they are not alone.

The study underscores an urgent need to address the declining emotional well-being of mothers, highlighting a critical public health challenge that requires immediate attention and intervention.