Being a parent is often rewarding. However, it can also be exhausting, especially if you’re struggling with depression. Parenting comes with seemingly endless responsibilities. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 33% of parents report high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults. Further, 48% of parents say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming. If you’re dealing with depression symptoms alongside your stress, you may feel especially overwhelmed.

When you’re depressed, you may feel pressure to “hold it together” for your kids. You may feel like you have to just push through and ignore any mental health symptoms. Here’s the truth: You don’t have to do it alone. Help is available.

A Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) is an intensive treatment option designed to support people facing mental health challenges while allowing them to stay at home. Virtual PHP can provide the structured care and professional support you need, all without the added stress and logistical challenges of leaving the house. Learning how vPHP works may help you understand how it could provide the personalized support you need.

3 ways Virtual PHP can support parents with depression

• Individual therapy — Parenting with depression can feel isolating. You may want to keep your family from worrying about you, which can keep you from talking about your feelings with those closest to you. Typically in vPHP, weekly one-on-one psychotherapy sessions provide a space to talk openly about your struggles. In these sessions, a licensed clinical therapist will help you process your emotions, identify triggers, develop coping strategies and more. For many parents, therapy provides a place where they can focus on their own needs for an hour without feeling guilty. Individual treatment can also help you develop better ways to navigate parenting challenges while dealing with depression.
• Family therapy — Depression doesn’t just affect the person experiencing depression symptoms. It also impacts the people around them. When you’re experiencing depression, it’s important to recognize how it may affect your loved ones. Virtual PHP typically involves biweekly family therapy sessions, which can help you work together with your family to make progress. This might involve improving communication, addressing misunderstandings and working through conflicts. Family therapy can strengthen relationships between parents and children by helping everyone get a better understanding of one another. This can also help you feel more supported. When your family understands what you’re going through, they may be able to provide more emotional support. As a parent, knowing that your family understands what you’re going through can be validating and healing. Family sessions may help bridge the gap between struggling alone and receiving support from loved ones.
• Psychiatry sessions — Depression is more than feeling sad. Major depressive disorder (MDD) can affect your mood, concentration and more. It can even impact your physical health. This is why having access to a psychiatrist every week is an important part of Virtual PHP. Your psychiatrist can assess how depression is impacting your daily life. They can then prescribe or adjust medications as needed. Virtual care lets you get consistent medical guidance without extra travel or stress. During each session, your psychiatrist will review how your medications are affecting your symptoms and mood. You’ll also have professional support for managing symptoms like fatigue and irritability. For parents dealing with depression, having the right medication plan can make a huge difference in daily life. It can help improve motivation, emotional stability and energy levels, making it easier to care for your children. Weekly psychiatry sessions can help ensure that your treatment stays on the right track.

Lightfully offers tailored virtual treatment for parents facing mental health challenges

At Lightfully, we understand that parenting with depression is tough. You shouldn’t have to choose between parenting and maintaining your mental health. That’s why we offer comprehensive virtual treatment programs centered around you as a whole person. Our Virtual Services are structured yet flexible. This means you can get support that works for your schedule and responsibilities. Personalized care goes beyond scheduling as well. We don’t just manage your symptoms as they appear. Our Precision Care Model is designed to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms. By addressing the core drivers behind your mental health challenges, we can help you work toward lasting relief.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.