Depression and Maternal Mental Health Awareness
Depression is more than just feeling sad; it impacts how one feels and acts and can have massive implications on school, work, and a person’s daily life. Unfortunately, the awareness about depression is minimal—many people believe that one can just “snap out of it.” This is very unfortunate, as severe depression can have dire consequences, including suicide.
Even more underappreciated is maternal mental health. This refers to the mental well-being of parents (yes, both mothers and fathers!) during pregnancy and for a few years post-delivery. This is a crucial and often chaotic period where parents need much support. Baby blues, which are mood swings right after childbirth, are experienced by most women and usually get better within a few weeks with no treatment. However, the symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) are more severe, and this is a serious condition that often requires medical intervention. There can be other manifestations of PPD as well—such as postpartum panic disorder, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum psychosis, and others. The statistics around postpartum mental health are pretty staggering—almost 15% of women experience PPD, but shockingly, only half of those are officially diagnosed, and even fewer receive treatment. 1 in 10 new fathers also suffer from PPD—this is not spoken about extensively due to the stigma around it and traditional gender expectations, but it is a serious problem.
What can be done to support new parents who may experience an impact on their mental health during this transformational period?
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of PPD
Encourage them to seek out treatment and stay optimistic about recovery
Keep communicating with them
Ensure that the new parents are getting food and sleep—both essentially for postpartum recovery.
Help them with the new baby, older kids, and other household activities so that they can get a break.
What can you do as a new mother/father to set yourself up for success?
Prioritize healthy eating and exercise.
Prioritize sleep and rest when possible
Communicate with near and dear ones
Ask for help! It does take a village
Give yourself grace and be realistic of your expectations for yourself
Remember, any postpartum mental health challenge is not your fault—you are not to blame. However, you may need to rely on a professional healthcare provider for help and appropriate treatment. The sooner you are on the path to recovery, the more you can enjoy time with the new baby!
