Honoring our Mamas During Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

Motherhood--it is often seen as a whimsical experience characterized by a stress-free pregnancy, a smooth delivery, and an easy transition into the postpartum period. But how often does this picture perfect experience happen? Many times, serious bumps in the road occur. Infertility, miscarriages, hormonal shifts, mental health concerns, pregnancy complications, and life transitions can all lead to a much more stressful experience of motherhood.

Silence is Harmful

All of these circumstances are not only distressing and painful by themselves, but there is an added element of isolation due to the “typical” view of motherhood. The concept of maternal mental health issues has largely been taboo. Many women experiencing pregnancy or postpartum challenges may feel alone in what they are experiencing. This “hush hush” nature of maternal mental health challenges can also cause women to feel invalidated, guilty, or shameful for experiencing these difficulties.

However, 1 in 5 mothers experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. That is a great deal of mothers experiencing mental health challenges, but less than 15% of these women receive professional treatment.

How We Can Start Supporting Moms

It is clear that maternal mental health concerns are common, so how do we go about raising awareness and support for our mamas?

1. Validate, Encourage, and Support

If you have new or expecting mothers in your life, reach out to them. See if they want to talk, could use some help with anything, or need some support. A strong support system is vital for everyone, but especially for moms who may be dealing with a lot of stress, uncertainty, fear, or mental health challenges. Just letting the new or expecting mothers in your life know that you are here for them can help them to feel more supported and encouraged to talk.

2. Talk About it

If you have experienced pregnancy or postpartum mental health challenges, share your story if you feel comfortable doing so. If you have not experienced maternal mental health concerns yourself but support the awareness movement, share your support and spread the word of available resources. Groups such as The Blue Dot Project are dedicated to supporting mothers and working to lift the stigma associated with maternal mental health concerns. The more that people open up the conversation about maternal mental health challenges, the more aware and educated our society will be and the less taboo it will become.

3. Normalize

Motherhood is a difficult journey, and the experience is unique to each individual and the specific experience. There is no “ideal” motherhood, and few motherhood experiences are akin to the stereotypical view. However, these deep-rooted societal views put a ton of pressure on expecting or new moms to be “perfect”. There is pressure to have a carefree pregnancy, follow the perfect diet, have a well-dressed baby, document every second of the new baby, have a picturesque nursery, the list can go on forever. Moreover, social media can place added pressure on moms, as they compare themselves to other moms who seem to “have it all together”. Working to normalize pregnancy and motherhood, being kinder and more understanding to new and expecting moms, and building awareness and education on this topic can help to slowly lighten the pressure placed on moms.

4. Promote Mental Health Services

Seeking out the support of a mental health professional adds to a mom’s support network, and allows her the space to openly speak and address the concerns she is facing. While few moms seek out professional mental health support, it can be a valuable and life-changing experience.

Why it is More Important Now Than Ever

Motherhood, and all that comes with it, is stressful. However, given the current circumstances and changes in life due to the pandemic, many new and expecting mothers are facing even more challenges than ever before. The pandemic has led to many baby showers being canceled, support systems not being available, and changes in hospital policies.

Not only does this throw a wrench in many plans, but it can also lead to very real fear of what these changes mean to the delivery and postpartum experience. Moreover, many moms are fearing for the health and safety of themselves and their child. Not being able to be surrounded by close friends and family can make this experience even more isolating and scary.

While we cannot change the circumstances nor take back the experiences lost, we can make ourselves available to support the new and expecting mothers in our lives. Maternal Mental Health Awareness week only lasts for one week each year, but should be emphasized and promoted each and every day.