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Supporting Parental Mental Health
  • 등록일2024.04.11

[Card News Episode 10] Supporting Parental Mental health
 I hate you! I can't handle this anymore. Parents face stress on multiple fronts while raising their kids. SI Card News Episode 10​​
 A Strong Connection Parental happiness is closely related to the happiness of their children and may be a prerequisite if efforts to reverse the low birthrate are to be successful. Happy mommy and daddy Maybe we should have a third one? Card News
 The focus of past childcare-related studies and policies has primarily been on children. The wellbeing and happiness of the people responsible for raising kids-the parents-tends to get overlooked. Aren't there any plans designed to support dads? X local government's -Sarang Childcare Service Package Deliver assistance to children. I kinda feel left out. Provide counseling for kids. Current Childcare Scheme SI Card News Episode 10
 The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) was the first local government in the nation to have a childcare policy that considers caregivers' mental wellness. Named the Happy Parents Project, it was launched in 2022. This year, the SMG initiated the Seoul Childbirth Support Project, which builds on the success of the Happy Parents Project, adding pro-natalist programs. 엄마 아빠 행복 프로젝트 Happy Parents Project Reliable childcare services Comfortable travel Healthcare & recharging A successful work-life balance 탄생응 서울프로젝트 Seoul Childbirth Support Project Supporting potential parents Providing childcare services and housing infrastructure Offering assistance to pregnant women Transforming work and other environments to be more inclusive and family-focused SI Card News Episode 10
 To understand parental mental health and related stressors, the Seoul Institute surveyed parents living in Seoul. Survey overview Sample size 555 Seoul residents with at least one child 0-9 years of age Survey period Sept. 26-Oct. 13, 2022 SI Card News Episode 10
 Our findings show that parental stress is higher and poor mental health is more prevalent among those with lower incomes with younger children not participating in leisure activities experiencing lower levels of satisfaction with their specific childcare arrangements. SI Card News Episode 10
 Suggestions from the Seoul Institute First, childcare support services and relevant programs should be expanded. Get reliable information on child-rearing at a glance. Happy Parents Project App 엄마아빠 행복 젝트 Fill the gap of public caregivers. in childcare with the help Provide an information channel on childcare. Extend and enhance public childcare support services. SI Card News Episode 10
 Second, there is a need to step up efforts to help parents take care of their mental health as well as to identify and monitor high-risk groups. Mental wellbeing of the parents matters most. I've booked a family cooking program. Offer online courses on health and wellness for parents. Design family-based wellbeing programs. Reach out and provide psychotherapy to at-risk groups. SI Card News Episode 10
 Third, more support is needed to create an environment where employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance. It would be great if parents working for SMES could take childcare leave without worrying about harming the company. We need childcare policies for the self-employed as well. 民意 Draw up programs for better work-family balance for permanent workers. Take action to ensure small business owners and workers in the gig economy can strike a better balance between work and life. SI Card News Episode 10
 Lastly, it is important to encourage mothers and fathers to work together better in raising their children. I like when daddy feeds me. Promote sharing of child-rearing duties between parents. Run fatherhood and parenting programs for dads. SI Card News Episode 10

[Card News Episode 10] Supporting Parental Mental Health

The focus of past childcare-related studies and policies has primarily been on children. The wellbeing and happiness of the people responsible for raising kids—the parents—tends to get overlooked. 

To understand parental mental health and related stressors, the Seoul Institute surveyed 555 Seoul residents with at least one child 0-9 years of age.

Our findings show that parental stress is higher and poor mental health is more prevalent among those a) with lower incomes; b) with younger children; c) not participating in leisure activities; d) experiencing lower levels of satisfaction with their specific childcare arrangements.

Suggestion from the Seoul Institute

First, childcare support services and relevant programs should be expanded. 
Second, there is a need to step up efforts to help parents take care of their mental health as well as to identify and monitor high-risk groups. 
Third, more support is needed to create an environment where employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance.  
Lastly, it is important to encourage mothers and fathers to work together better in raising their children.

Source: Seongah Kim, 2023. “A Study on the Mental Health and Parenting Stress of Parents in Seoul.” Seoul: Seoul Institute.