Parental Mental Health Takes Centre Stage at the French National Assembly
02.04.25
Paris, France – On April 2nd, Make Mothers Matter was honoured to have key findings from its State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 report cited at the French National Assembly during a high-level roundtable: “The New Challenges of Motherhood and Fatherhood.”
The event marked a powerful moment in the growing recognition of the mental load carried by mothers and the urgent need for meaningful political and social change.
Drawing on responses from 9,600 mothers across 12 European countries, the data revealed sobering trends, particularly in maternal mental health. One of the most alarming findings:
👉 One in two mothers reports suffering from mental health difficulties.
“The parental mental health crisis is real,” stated Julie Foubert, the founder of Be the Change, who powerfully highlighted the numbers and the lived experience behind them.
The discussion brought together leading voices in the field of parenthood and gender equality, including:
- Clémentine Sarlat, founder of La Matrescence,
- Cédric Rostein, creator of Papatriarcat.
Both delivered impactful and necessary testimonies on the shifting realities of modern parenthood – from invisible labor and emotional exhaustion to the cultural taboos that still surround mental health, particularly for mothers.
Their contributions underscored a shared truth: supporting maternal well-being is no longer optional – it is a social, economic, and political imperative.
“We are thrilled to see parenthood – especially the wellbeing of mothers – being recognised as a central issue in national policy discussions,” said Afaf Abounouadar, MMM’s Executive Director.
As European leaders continue to debate the future of family and gender equality, this milestone moment in France sends a clear message: it’s time to prioritise the mental health of parents, to uplift mothers’ voices, and to build a more equitable future for all families.
🔗 Download the France snapshot (PDF)
🔗 State of Motherhood in Europe home page
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