As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s important to focus on an often overlooked crisis that affects mothers across the country: maternal mental health.
Although this time of year is traditionally celebrated with flowers and cards, for many women the reality of motherhood is interrupted by serious mental health issues that can last well beyond a year after giving birth. It is damaged.
Maternal mental health disorders such as postpartum depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychosis affect a significant proportion of mothers. Devastatingly, one in three mothers are affected by these conditions, especially those from low-income and minority backgrounds. Sadly, an astonishing 75% of these women do not receive the treatment they desperately need.
When a mother’s mental health disorder is untreated, its effects are far-reaching, affecting not only the woman herself but also her children, marriage, and career. Children of mothers who suffer from these disorders are more likely to experience developmental delays and psychological problems. The weight of untreated mental health problems can cause strain on marriages, and a mother’s mental health problems can lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism, so workplaces You may find yourself in a predicament.
Our society’s expectations of mothers are not only unrealistic, but fundamentally failing them from the beginning. In today’s world, mothers are expected to be everything to everyone. This enormous burden placed on a single individual is not only unfair, but unsustainable. What needs to change? all. We start by re-evaluating our workplace policies, particularly those regarding parental leave, to ensure they truly support the right of parents to bond with their children without fear of financial instability. I have to start.
Despite these challenges, our society is still not prioritizing the support needed to help mothers during this critical time. Ultimately, we need a cultural shift that respects and supports the different roles mothers play, rather than expecting them to shoulder impossible burdens alone. This includes extending maternity and parental leave, implementing thoughtful policy and legal reforms, increasing funding for maternal mental health services, and strengthening community support systems. These are all important steps in addressing this crisis.
The Postnatal Support Center provides comprehensive health-focused support (from pregnancy to the first five years postpartum) for mothers, fathers, and their support teams, while promoting awareness and prevention of perinatal mental health. We are the only local community organization designed to serve you. Health disorders. These services aim to significantly reduce the challenges of maternal mental health disorders and create a strong support system that can prevent clinical depression.
May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, the Postpartum Support Center is drawing attention to these issues through its annual Walk for Moms. This event raises awareness and funds to support mothers suffering from mental health conditions.
We invite our community to join us in this important effort that will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless families. It will be held in May from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Lagoon Park at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael.
Additionally, Center leaders are proud to announce the launch of the Marin Maternal and Child Mental Health Collaborative, supported by the Marin Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Maternal, Child, and Youth Health. This new initiative aims to bring together health care providers, policy makers, community leaders, and members with lived experience to improve and expand services for maternal mental health.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s remember that our commitment to mothers’ mental health is vitally important. It’s not just her day or her one walk. It’s about continued support and advocacy to ensure all mothers have the opportunity to enjoy motherhood without the burden of being overshadowed by mental health issues.
I urge everyone who believes in this cause to come forward. Join the Walk for Moms, collaborate and spread the word. Together we can transform the maternal mental health landscape and build a healthier, happier future for all mothers and their families.
Ivana Jagodić is the founder and executive director of Postpartum Support Center in San Rafael. For mental health support for her mother, please text or call 415-320-6707. If you would like to learn more about Walk For Moms or the Marin Mother Mental Health Collaborative, please email us at info@postpartumsc.org or visit us online at postpartumsc.org.
