May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the emotional and psychological challenges that many women face during the transition to parenthood. Conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders often go undiagnosed and untreated, affecting not only mothers but also their families and children’s development. Although these issues commonly impact new moms, a veil of stigma often prevents moms from seeking the care that is so crucial for their mental health. By dedicating a month to this critical issue, we help break the stigma surrounding maternal mental health, promote early intervention, and ensure that mothers receive the support, resources, and care they need to thrive. Supporting maternal mental health ultimately strengthens families and communities.
At Wildflower, we are committed to caring for the mental health of moms, and continue to demonstrate this in a variety of ways, one being education and advocacy. Through our webzine, we provide regular education to the community about maternal mental health. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite webzine articles about maternal mental health:
10 Tips for Postpartum Wellness. Written by our co-founder Aga Grabowski LCSW, CST, PMH-C, this article gives ten simple ways to care for oneself postpartum.
There is no Health Without Mental Health: Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Written by our co-founder Aga Grabowski LCSW, CST, PMH-C, this piece gives an overview of why MMH Awareness Month is so important, and provides some info for organizations to support.
What is Postpartum Psychosis? Written by our Executive Director, Kate Ernstrom, LCSW, CST, PMH-C, this article aims to teach some basics about what postpartum psychosis is, and provide some myth-busting.
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Written by Eden Himidian, our Director of Education, LCSW, PMH-C, RYT, in collaboration with Chrissy Ellis, our co-founder, LCSW, PMH-C, this is a three-part series on experiencing matrescense as a practicing therapist, and what it means to hold these two identities.
The Many Faces of Postpartum Worry. Written by our co-founder, Aga Grabowski, LCSW, CST, PMH-C, this piece dives into some of the common ways that postpartum worry can show up, and some ways to cope.
Breastfeeding and Postpartum Mental Health. Written by Natalie Hall, MA, LSW, this article discusses breastfeeding, and the weight of decision making around feeding one’s baby. It also discusses the mental health impact of breastfeeding.
Perinatal Mental Health: A Guide for Therapists. Written by our Perinatal Mental Health Program Manager, Gabby Pendley, LCSW, PMH-C, CADC, this article focuses on providing therapists with some basic education on perinatal mental health, and working with perinatal mental health in therapy.
The Importance of New Moms Support Groups. Written by Gabrielle Klein, BA, this article discusses the isolation associated with the postpartum period, and the importance of seeking support.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health Guide. A comprehensive educational guide written by Wildflower staff on the critical subject of maternal mental health during the transition to parenthood.
