This report details findings from the Parenting Today survey, designed to provide a comprehensive national picture of parenting, wellbeing and support needs across Australia. The report describes the prevalence and correlates of parent psychological distress, pointing to the need for a new narrative about parent mental health and wellbeing that acknowledges this as a universal concern. Parent distress has strong associations with modifiable factors such as loneliness, self-doubt and low self-compassion. This reframing has implications for how parents are supported. 

The report argues support for parent mental health must be considered a core component of prevention and early intervention efforts, with greater investment in universal, stigma-free, and relational supports. This would reduce isolation, strengthen confidence and normalise parent help seeking as a way to improve outcomes for both parents and children.