Mental Health Issues Single Mom’s Face (& How to Solve Them)

Single Moms have a number of challenges that contribute to mental health issues. If you are struggling with your mental health you are not alone.

It’s estimated that 15% of the adult population will experience depression at some time in their life. 15% of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety.

An estimated 19% of the adult population had an anxiety disorder in the past year according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

 Disclaimer: This blog post is sponsored by BetterHelp, but all opinions are my own. As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided. This article is for educational use only. If you are in need of professional help I recommend BetterHelp. They will match you with a therapist that you can skype, email or talk to on the phone for an affordable monthly price. To find a mental health care provider near you call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

1. Negative Self Talk is a Mental Health Issues

Negative self-talk is both a symptom and cause of depression and depression. When your self-talk is focused on the negative you are less likely to reach your full potential.

Listen to the thoughts in your head. Would you say those things to your best friend? If not you need to talk to yourself differently. Be your own best friend and be nice to yourself.

Therapy can help you if you are depressed or anxious. If you don’t need therapy, but could use support life coaching is a great option to help you develop a new plan and reach your goals.

Solution: Focus on talking to yourself like you’d talk to a best friend. If your self-talk is causing you anxiety get some tips here to reduce your anxiety.

2. Loneliness for Single Moms is Depressing

Often when you get divorced or have a break-up some of your friends go with your partner others drift away. Some friends have a sneaking fear that divorce is contagious, others who were couple friends don’t want to pick sides and so drift away from both of you.

Solution: Make it a priority to stay in touch with the friends you do have and make the effort to make new friends.

3. History of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is one reason couples break up, when this is the case there is the trauma from the abuse to deal with. Another factor is fear for the children’s safety if they are allowed to be with the abusive parent. If they are not allowed to be with the abusive parent 100% of the care of the children is on the other parent.

Solution: Therapy is an important tool to work through the effects of domestic violence.

4. Inadequate Support System

When there are 2 adults in the home their are two people to address the needs of the home and the children. There are two people to pick up and drop off children from activities. Two people to make meals, do laundry, clean house, do yard work, and home repairs. As a single parent, there is only one adult to do all of those things.

Often in-laws are not available after a break-up. Sometimes extended family is able to help and other times they do not live close.

Solution: Build a support system by asking family and friends for help when you need it and hiring help when you need to.

5. Sleep Deprivation

Single parents have the work of 2 adults to do and there is only so much time in a day so often to get everything done they sleep less.

Solution: Prioritize sleep, if you are not getting enough sleep you are more likely to get sick and you are going to be less efficient with the time you do have.

6. Conflict with Other Parent

Some parents are able to have a cooperative, supportive relationship after a break-up, but often significant conflict continues even after a divorce.

Solution: Having good communication and strong boundaries is key in dealing with a narcissistic ex-partner or other toxic ex-partner you share children with.

7. Loss of Your Dream as a Single Parent

No one has children expecting to raise them all alone. You have a dream of a happy two-parent family and after divorce that is not your life.

8. Missing the Kids When with the Other Parent

One of the hardest things about divorce is not having your kids with you every day. You don’t see them in person at the end of every day. Sometimes on the weekend, they aren’t with you to share the fun relaxed time. Holidays and school breaks are shared with the other parent.

Solution: Plan some fun and self-care activities to do when you are alone and the kids are with their dad or do some meal prep to make the nights you have them easier.

9. Financial Insecurity

When one parent is totally responsible for running the household and earning the money finances are usually much tighter than when there are two wage earners in a family. Besides that women still usually earn less per hour than men.

Solution: There are only two ways to reduce financial insecurity bring in more money or reduce your expenses. Frugal living only gets you so far. Having an emergency fund is one of the best ways to reduce financial anxiety. The best way to do that is to bring in more money. You can do that by getting a side hustle, working to get a promotion, or getting the skills you need to be qualified for a higher-paying job.

10. Special Needs Child

The divorce rate for couples with a special needs child is higher, which means those parents are single parents. Having a special needs child is even more exhausting than having a child without special needs. Having a child with special needs usually requires extra appointments to address those special needs, which takes more time.

Solutions: If you have a special needs child work with the school to get an individualized education plan so that s/he gets the help s/he needs at school. Some special needs kids are eligible for other services talk to your pediatrician to see what those services might be.