Maternal Mental Health Gains Attention as Experts Call for Better Support for Mothers
There is growing public awareness of maternal mental health, with experts warning that many mothers still experience substantial challenges in accessing diagnosis, treatment and support both before and after giving birth.
According to experts cited by CNN, as many as one in five women in the United States suffers from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and postpartum psychosis during pregnancy and the year after giving birth.
The issue has come to the fore again as the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who has claimed to have suffered from postpartum psychosis, and the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who spoke out about her postpartum depression, have been brought to light.
The more it is discussed, the more it may help to decrease the stigma that some mothers face when seeking help, experts say. The healthcare system continues to fall short of offering mothers adequate practical support when they have mental health challenges, said Adrienne Griffen, CEO of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance.
Mental health issues during the perinatal period can impact both mother and baby, said Dr Andrea Diaz Stransky, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Duke University. Anxiety and depression, if left untreated, have been associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and premature birth.
There are guidelines for screening pregnant and postpartum women in healthcare organisations, but experts report that this is not always followed. When a problem is detected through screening, there are few treatment options and long wait times for treatment, leaving mothers without timely treatment.
There is a call for increased support networks, including healthcare providers, partners and relatives. They also encourage families to designate trusted individuals who can help with childcare if a mother is temporarily unable to care for her children.
They claim that eliminating stigma, enhancing access to treatment and bolstering maternal health systems are key to safeguarding the wellbeing of mothers and children.
