A major national survey of 10,000 Australian parents has found nearly 60 per cent are experiencing moderate to high psychological distress, including clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Conducted by the Parenting Research Centre, the study highlighted growing struggles with loneliness, self-doubt and financial pressure across all demographics. Researchers warned that worsening parent mental health is affecting children’s wellbeing and family relationships, with experts calling for stronger government action on housing affordability, cost-of-living relief and community support programs.