Maternal Mental Health Month May is Maternal Mental Health month. As many as 1 in 5 women face perinatal mental health challenges including depression and anxiety. Despite this frequency, many women do not seek treatment and their struggles may go unnoticed which can have many potential long-term consequences. In fact, as many as 7 in 10 women reported that they actively tried to hide their symptoms from those around them. There are many reasons that women may not seek treatment including fear of judgement and stigma around maternal mental health care. By taking time to get involved with spreading awareness, we can help support women who may need support. While perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can appear in a variety of ways, here are a few signs that you or a loved one may be struggling: - Lack of interest in the baby
- Significant changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Excessive worry about the health or safety of the baby
- Increased frequency or new experience of panic attacks
- Crying spells, sadness, or feelings of guilt
- Fear of being left alone with the baby
- Irritability, feeling on edge, and being easily startled
- Feeling of being detached or a sense of unreality
This list is not comprehensive and not everyone will experience any or all of these symptoms but if you or your loved one have experienced significant changes in your thoughts or mood during or after pregnancy, it may be helpful to seek support. If you or someone you know is struggling with perinatal mental health challenges, help is available. Mental health professionals can provide support to cope with these symptoms. Additionally, help is available at the Postpartum Support Hotline hotline at 1.800.944.4773 where you can get additional information and resources. National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (5/9/2024) Every May, we also recognize the importance of children’s mental health with the celebration of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Around 1 in 5 children qualify for a mental health diagnosis that may come with lifelong effects. Many parents, however, may feel uncomfortable or uncertain about how to talk to their kids about mental health. Whether this is from a lack of confidence, effects of stigma, or fear of being blamed, it can make it more difficult to recognize when children are struggling or promote resilience if we do not talk about mental health with them. Here are a few strategies to support talking with your kids about mental health:- Use something relatable such as physical illness. You can discuss how medicine can help us feel better and that also applies to mental health medications or treatments. This can also help to alleviate the stigma around taking medications or going to therapy.
- Provide concrete examples. We can also help them understand better how their brain works. Using examples of situations that are scary but familiar can provide a way to explain our nervous system. That can also make it easier to explain how anxiety works.
- Validate their experiences. Because emotions can be difficult to discuss, especially if they do not understand them, children may be ashamed or afraid to discuss them. Talking about emotions with curiosity and empathy can encourage them to discuss their feelings. Sharing stories of people with similar experiences can also help them feel more comfortable.
- Use stories. There are many books, both fiction and educational that can help open up conversations about mental health and feelings. It can also be a very approachable way for kids to talk about feelings that they may struggle with themselves.
- Talk about it regularly. Make it a normal part of their life to talk about mental health and feelings. Talk about your own emotions in an appropriate and approachable way as well. Teach them about self-care and things that help them feel better when they are dealing with difficult emotions.
If your child is struggling with their emotions or behavioral challenges, mental health professionals are available to support them and you in learning how to cope better and talk about feelings in supportive ways. | 
