Adam RafaelHelen Skelton, the popular British TV presenter known for Countryfile and Blue Peter, has been raising her three children solo since her split from former rugby player Richie Myler in 2022. Speaking openly in 2026, Skelton has described the experience as emotionally exhausting — yet simultaneously transformative. She is one of an estimated 1.8 million single parents in the United Kingdom, the majority of them women. Her candid public presence has helped normalise a conversation that mental health professionals say is long overdue: what is the real psychological toll of solo parenting, and when should you seek support?
The hidden mental health weight of raising children alone
Solo parenting is not simply parenting with one less adult in the house. For many single parents, it means taking on every decision, every school run, every sick night, every emotional crisis — without a partner to share the load or offer perspective. The cumulative effect on mental health can be significant.
According to NHS research published in 2025, single parents are approximately twice as likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to partnered parents. The causes are multiple: financial pressure, social isolation, chronic sleep deprivation, and the guilt of feeling like you are never doing enough for your children.
Helen Skelton has spoken about selling the family home following her split, rebuilding her life from scratch, and choosing not to have more children — a deeply personal decision she described as made "consciously". Behind her warm television presence lies a reality that millions of British families recognise.
The grief process nobody talks about
When a long-term relationship ends — especially one that involved children and shared dreams of family — there is a grief process that often goes unacknowledged. It is not simply about losing a partner. It is about grieving a version of life that will never happen: the holidays you planned, the school events you imagined attending together, the image of the future family.
Clinical psychologists describe this as ambiguous grief: the mourning of something that has not died, but has fundamentally changed. Unlike bereavement, there is no social script for it, no formal recognition, no flowers from neighbours.
For the parent who remains the primary carer — as Skelton has been for her three children, Ernie, Louis and Elsie — this grief often has to be processed in between school pickups and bedtime stories. There is rarely a moment to sit with the feelings.
How children experience a parent's silent struggle
Children are profoundly attuned to their parents' emotional states. Research consistently shows that a parent's unresolved distress can affect a child's sense of security, their behaviour at school, and their own emotional development — even when the parent believes they are hiding it well.
This does not mean single parents should feel guilty for struggling. It means the opposite: getting support for yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do for your children. A parent who is emotionally resourced, who has processed their own grief and found ways to manage stress, creates a more stable environment than a parent who is silently drowning.
Signs that professional support would help
It is not always easy to recognise when you have moved from normal, expected stress into territory where professional support would make a real difference. Clinical psychologists suggest looking out for:
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness or numbness lasting more than two weeks
- Frequent, uncontrollable irritability or anger directed at your children
- Difficulty sleeping — either unable to fall asleep, or sleeping excessively — over several weeks
- Withdrawal from social contact, friends, or activities that previously brought pleasure
- Physical symptoms with no medical explanation: persistent fatigue, headaches, digestive problems
- Intrusive thoughts or difficulty concentrating on everyday tasks
- A sense that you are merely surviving, rather than living
None of these individually signals a crisis — but several of them together, sustained over time, is a clear message from your mind and body that you need more support than willpower alone can provide.
What therapy can offer — and what to expect
Many single parents hesitate to seek psychological support because they feel they cannot afford the time or the cost. The NHS Talking Therapies programme (formerly IAPT) offers free access to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches, with self-referral available in most areas of England without needing a GP appointment first.
For those who want faster access or prefer a different approach, private clinical psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists are available across the country — including via video consultation, which can be more manageable around childcare.
A first session with a psychologist is not a commitment. It is an assessment: an opportunity to explore what is going on, what kind of support might help, and whether this therapist feels like the right fit.
Practical resilience: what research shows actually works
Beyond therapy, evidence consistently shows that several practical strategies can meaningfully support the mental health of solo parents:
Peer connection matters enormously. Spending time with other single parents — whether through informal groups, online communities, or structured support groups — reduces the isolation that compounds mental health struggles. Knowing that others face the same challenges normalises your experience.
Boundaries around guilt are essential. Solo parents often feel they must compensate for the other parent's absence by being perpetually available to their children. Clinical psychologists frequently help clients challenge this belief: quality of presence matters far more than quantity of time.
Regular, non-negotiable self-care — even five minutes of quiet, a short walk, or a conversation with a friend — is not a luxury. It is maintenance. The analogy often used in therapy: you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Expert Zoom connects people across the UK with experienced clinical psychologists and counsellors, available for in-person or online appointments. Taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness — it is the strongest thing a parent can do.
YMYL notice: This article provides general information only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your GP, call NHS 111, or reach Samaritans on 116 123.
