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7 min read
Sarah Sinclair
Ahead of Parent Mental Health Day (Thursday 30 January) we’re breaking down the stigma around medical cannabis and parenting with the real-life stories of those who have found improved health and wellbeing for themselves and their families as a result.
Parent Mental Health Day is an annual campaign launched in 2022 by the charity stem4. It aims to promote awareness of the critical link between parents’ mental health and family wellbeing.
Let’s be honest, for all the joy that comes with parenthood, the journey can be fraught with challenges too. In particular, for parents living with long-term health conditions such as mental illness or chronic pain, it can feel like an uphill battle at times.
This Parent Mental Health Day, Releaf is taking the opportunity to celebrate the parents who have prioritised their health in order to enrich the lives of their children and loved ones.
Medical cannabis has been available on prescription in the UK since 2018. For some, it has been beneficial in managing their symptoms, enabling them to be more present and active in their children’s lives as a result.
However, the stigma surrounding cannabis— and the misconception that it is associated with irresponsible parenting—remains a barrier for many when it comes to accessing treatment.
Misconceptions around medical cannabis use and its impact on an individual's ability to parent are often fueled by outdated stereotypes linked to illegal recreational use. In fact, with the proper safeguards and clinical guidance, cannabis-based medicines can be a valuable tool for a parent in managing their health and wellbeing.
Many parents who use medical cannabis report that the treatment enables them to be more present, patient, and engaged with their children. Others also say that it has allowed them to reduce their reliance on other medications which have more debilitating side-effects and prevent them from parenting in the way they would like to.
Father-of-three, Ollie, 37, was diagnosed with ADHD last year, forcing him to reflect on his past behaviours and previous coping mechanisms.
After his diagnosis he was prescribed a derivative of amphetamine to help his symptoms during the day and melatonin to help him sleep at night. While these medications helped sometimes, they also came with unwanted side-effects such as profound anxiety, which disrupted his family life even more.
“Sometimes, they really pushed me right to the edge—to the point that I couldn’t even eat an evening meal with my family when I came home from work,” he says.
Since he has been prescribed medical cannabis Ollie is better able to cope with high-pressure situations in his day-to-day life. While it’s not a “silver bullet”, he is more present as a father and a partner.
“My treatment with medical cannabis allows me to just be in the moment; to be present, which benefits my day-to-day life,” he adds.
“After work, when the laptop closes, it’s like a switch being flipped: I'm a father and partner, and I can be there and present with my children and not constantly worry. Medical cannabis is a great tool to have at my disposal.”
After losing her mother Hannah found herself trapped in a cycle of anxiety which led her to retreat from the outside world for six months. When she eventually did reach out for help, she was prescribed a series of pharmaceuticals that came with a long list of side-effects.
As a working mum to a six-year-old, Hannah needs a treatment that works effectively without getting in the way of her busy lifestyle.
“I think my doctor and I have found a good balance, and my treatment with medical cannabis doesn’t get in the way of my job or being a mum,” she says.
Since getting her prescription with Releaf, Hannah has been able to reduce her other medications. She’s also had the confidence to do many things that she would previously have struggled with, such as taking her son on a family trip.
“Usually, with my anxiety, if I had to go somewhere outside the city that I live in, I would start to panic. Now, I'm able to do that without being stressed,” Hannah says.
“I’d love to try and go abroad next year, which would be like a major step for me. I haven't been abroad since the anxiety started, so I'd love to be able to take my six-year-old on a summer holiday—that would be brilliant. “
As a young dad struggling with anxiety and depression, Daryl knew he had to find a solution for his children. When conventional medicines made things worse, he reached out to clinicians at Releaf and began his journey with medical cannabis.
One of the biggest things Daryl has noticed since he started treatment is the improvement in his sleep, which allows him to be present for his kids in the morning.
He says: “I have a three-year-old and a baby under one, so in the mornings, I need to be alert and attentive. I don't want the kids to see me acting miserable in the morning—I want to make a fun and exciting day for them. If I have a good night's sleep, I feel better, and that makes my kids happier.”
Not long after getting his Releaf prescription, Daryl's dad was diagnosed with cancer and his mum suffered a mini-stroke. He feels the treatment will enable him to cope better with whatever stressful days might lie ahead.
He adds: “I’m thankful that my treatment came along right now, when my family needs me most.”
It goes without saying that responsible use is central to the conversation around medical cannabis and parenting.
Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are prescribed by specialist doctors who will always consider a patients’ parental responsibilities and support them to put the appropriate safeguards in place.
Parents who use CBMPs should take extra precautions to ensure their treatments do not end up in the wrong hands, for example, storing them securely and out of reach.
Many parents schedule their doses around family responsibilities, ensuring they are at their most focused and present when their children need them.
Having open and honest conversations with children, when age-appropriate, can also help demystify the treatment and reduce any stigma or misconceptions within the family setting.
Releaf advocates for breaking the stigma surrounding medical cannabis and recognising it as a legitimate and effective treatment for those who need it. If you’re a parent exploring medical cannabis as a treatment option, you are not alone.
Releaf’s educational resources, guidance, and Patient Support Team can help you navigate your journey. Remember that taking care of yourself is the first step to showing up as the best parent you can be.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Am I eligible?Sarah, a distinguished journalist with over a decade in publishing and communications, now excels in cannabis health and policy journalism in the UK, advocating for informed health decisions through her award-winning work.
All of our articles are written by medical cannabis experts, guided by strict sourcing guidelines, and reference peer-reviewed studies and credible academic research. Our expert clinical team and compliance specialists provide valuable insights to ensure accuracy when required. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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