Alarm bells have been sounding about the spike in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens and young adults for the past several years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that that 22% of high school students in a recent survey said they had seriously considered suicide within the past year, up from 16% in 2011.

Steps to address that crisis are vital — in the schools and at home.

But for moms and dads, that may be more of a challenge than has been recognized, because they too are contending with a sharp rise in depression and anxiety.

A report from Harvard University found that while 18% of teens reported having anxiety, 20% of mothers and 16% of fathers did too. And 15% of teens said they were depressed, while 16% of mothers and 10% of fathers admitted they contended with depression. 

Clearly, family caregivers need care — for their own sake and to help their children.

The study states: "Depressed and anxious parents are often terrific parents despite — and sometimes because of — these challenges. At the same time, depression and anxiety in parents are linked to emotional, social, physical, and academic problems in children."

If you're feeling anxious or depressed, reach out to online and phone support resources such as BetterHelp and Talkspace. Arrange for in-person therapy through your primary care physician.