Search by Color or Cause
During Maternal Mental Health Month, we’re creating dialogue around maternal depression. Despite the prevalence of maternal depression, too many mothers and birthing people don’t get the help they need to heal. And when mothers’ health suffers, their children’s health often suffers, too.
In addition:
- Black mothers are at a higher risk of experiencing postpartum depression and less likely to receive the care they need.
- Physicians, public health providers, policymakers, families, and community advocates can take action and drive change to improve mother’s mental health.
Building Strength and Resiliency in Children
Mental health in childhood involves reaching developmental and emotional milestones, learning healthy social skills, and understanding how to cope when there are problems.
- Stressful events during childhood can have a negative impact across the lifespan. Promoting protective buffers is a vital way for public health professionals, health care providers, families, and policymakers to help more children have a healthy future.
- Strong early social and emotional development gives children the building blocks for lifelong mental health. Pediatric care professionals can help children build this foundation by fostering social and emotional development.
Let’s Do More for Fathers
One in 10 fathers experience Paternal Postpartum Depression (PPPD). Up to 16 percent of fathers suffer from an anxiety disorder during the perinatal period. These two articles outline opportunities to better support fathers.
- Making Fathers Visible in Maternal and Child Health: This article discusses how children with involved fathers achieve better outcomes on nearly every measure of child well-being and mothers experience improved mental health and well-being.
- Promoting Fathers’ Mental Health During Children’s Early Childhood. This article outlines four strategies health care providers and public health professionals can use to address dads’ mental health.
