But it is not enough to recognize the problem. For Michigan families, the answer must be a renewed commitment to supporting parents, because when parents thrive, so do their children.

Decades of research show that parental stress and resulting mental health problems can negatively impact children, leading to increased anxiety, behavioral problems and developmental delays. But we Also know that with the right support, families can thrive.

Right here in Michigan, research in my lab has proven that targeted interventions can make a profound difference. By combining mental health care, parenting education and peer support, interventions such as Mom Power or Fraternity of Fathers (FOF) groups help parents manage stress, foster resilience and build stronger families. This evidence-based group program, along with state-funded programs like the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care (MC3) initiative, which connects families with mental health specialists, offers a comprehensive solution to michigan parenting stress crisis.

However, access to group mental health programs like Mom Power/FOF and individual psychotherapy for parents is inconsistent. Although Medicaid and some commercial health plans cover individual components of programs such as Mom Power/FOF, there are no explicit requirements for comprehensive coverage of specialized programs integrating mental health care, parenting education, and support by peers. This gap in standardized coverage means many families lack vital services.

Additionally, coverage of mental health prevention programs varies considerably by insurance plan. This variability leads to inconsistencies in parental mental health services across regions, leaving some families without the resources needed to manage parenting stress.

Michigan policymakers must take bold steps to address these challenges:

1. Standardize insurance coverage for comprehensive parental mental health programs like Mom Power, ensuring all eligible women and men have access to integrated, holistic group support.
2. Improve provider awareness and training to ensure healthcare professionals know how to access and use these services, including how to use appropriate billing codes for integrated care models.
3. Allocate additional funding to expand evidence-based maternal mental health initiatives, such as Mom Power/FOF and the MC3 initiative, which connects families with mental health specialists.
4. Implement mechanisms to support ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of these programs. By collecting data on outcomes such as improved mental health, parenting skills and the well-being of mothers, fathers and children, we can ensure that these interventions produce meaningful results over time.

In the words of the Surgeon General: “The health of our nation’s families is at stake.” This is not hyperbole; this is reality. If we do not act, the costs will be enormous, not only for individual families but for our society as a whole. Parents are the foundation of strong, healthy communities, and their well-being is essential to the success of future generations.

The surgeon general’s report is a wake-up call. Let’s not press the snooze button. Together, we can create a future where every Michigan family has the opportunity to thrive.