Parenting in Canada has reached a critical crossroads.

A new study by Toronto’s Yorkville University and Abacus Data reveals that the pressures of modern parenthood — from financial strain to navigating a digital world — are pushing parents to their limits. Of the more than 1,900 Yorkville University mental-health professionals polled, 90 per cent expressed deep concern for the mental well-being of parents, with nearly half calling the situation “extremely concerning.”

These findings highlight the profound stress that parents face as they not only navigate raising children in today’s fast- paced, digitally-driven world, but also struggle to meet the rising cost of living. Yet amid these challenges there is hope: not only are more parents willing to speak openly about their struggles, but a growing network of professionals is now also available to provide much-needed support.

“Parenting today is stressful,” emphasized Yorkville University’s Associate Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships and Alumni, Dr. Krista Schultz. “We find ourselves in a comparison culture, with social media constantly showing us other parents and families and all the activities they’re doing.” The result? According to Dr. Schultz, parents may end up feeling like they’re never doing enough. Many end up enrolling their children in way too many activities in an effort to keep up, and those come at a cost.

“Taking our kids to activities and paying registration fees, whether it’s hockey or dance or we’re on the road paying for hotels for a tournament … these things add up,” Schultz explains. “And again, we only have so many hours in the day. We do know that parents today spend more time with their children, but then how are they taking care of themselves and recognizing their own self-care needs?”

Beyond comparison culture, the rapid rise of technology and screen time has introduced additional challenges. More than 70 per cent of those polled reported seeing more parents concerned about the effects of social media and screen time in general on their children’s emotional well-being.

Dr. Schultz elaborated on this dynamic: “Parents are grappling with questions like ‘Is this quality time, allowing them to be on a screen while I’m on my phone?’ That question, ‘What is quality time?,’ in a world where so much time is spent on screens, is constantly going through parents’ heads, and it’s exhausting.” She explains how this constant pressure to balance work, family and self-care while monitoring and moderating their children’s exposure to technology can feel overwhelming.

Interestingly, the data also pointed to a growing uncertainty about parenthood among adults who have not yet started families. Nearly 75 per cent of mental health professionals observed more clients expressing hesitation about having children, often citing financial concerns and personal, mental or physical health challenges. This shift reflects a broader societal reckoning with the realities of modern parenting and the significant resources it demands.

While the challenges are undeniable, the findings also offer a glimmer of hope. More than 95 per cent of Yorkville’s survey respondents expressed confidence in their ability to help clients manage parenting stressors through fostering resilience and strengthening such skills as emotional self-regulation, stress management and problem-solving.

Dr. Schultz sees this as a positive shift: “We’re seeing a reduction in stigma surrounding mental health support,” she observes, citing how today adults in their twenties and thirties are more open to discussing their mental-health journeys with one another, often recommending therapists and other services.

“We’re also seeing different ways to provide support, including an increase in virtual services. We saw that in the pandemic, but we’re actually seeing it continue and benefit more remote and rural areas,” says Dr. Schultz, who emphasizes the importance of these evolving resources. “Parents are not alone, and they need to know that there’s a big pool of professionals ready to help From school counsellors to social workers to private therapists, there are many pathways to finding support.”

Yorkville University itself plays a key role in addressing this demand. As one of Canada’s leading institutions for training mental health professionals, the university is actively preparing the next generation of counsellors and psychotherapists to address the nuanced needs of today’s families. This effort ensures that parents and prospective parents alike have access to informed and empathetic support networks.

While individual efforts and community support are critical, the role of policymakers cannot be overstated. Dr. Schultz highlights the need for systemic changes to alleviate the pressures on parents: “Being able to access psychology services, whether that is publicly funded or private, is very important now,” she says, and that if public services have wait lists and private services aren’t financially feasible, Canadians should ensure their workplaces offer mental health-care benefits to their employees. “We want to encourage people to use their benefits if they have them, and if they don’t, to ask, ‘Why not?’” Though the challenges highlighted by Yorkville University and Abacus Data are significant, the willingness of parents to speak openly about their struggles signals a cultural shift toward destigmatizing mental health needs. This openness, coupled with the expanding network of mental health professionals and supportive policies, lays a foundation for meaningful change.

Dr. Schultz remains optimistic about the future. While she understands that parenting stress has always existed and will continue to exist, she sees hope in how more and more families are equipping themselves with the tools and support to navigate their challenges effectively. This shift ensures that future generations will grow up understanding the value of mental health and the importance of seeking help when it is needed. By acknowledging the unique challenges that today’s parents face and investing in the resources needed to support them, societies can ensure that families not only survive but also thrive in the years to come.

INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO

@yorkvilleu