Maternal Mental Health Awareness: MMH Week 2020

Originally posted on Christine’s Instagram 5/6/20

Sometimes being a good mom means you have to start caring for yourself before you can care for your family. It means acknowledging your struggles, not “toughing it out.”
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It means getting the help you need and not apologizing for it.⠀
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Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is NOW and we are speaking up.⠀
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1 in 5 women in our country will experience a mental health disorder during her child bearing years. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. 1 in 8 couples suffer from infertility.⠀
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We know these women but more often than not they (we) suffer in silence because reproductive challenges are hyper-stigmatized in our culture. We can feel embarrassed, ashamed, frustrated, angry and alone.⠀
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But we are not alone.⠀
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I am 1 in 5.⠀
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I am 1 in 4.⠀
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I’ve suffered from postpartum mental disorders both after the birth of my living child and the traumatic loss of my son, Liam, at 18 weeks pregnant.⠀
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I don’t post about my losses and mental health for your pity. I talk about the hard stuff because we need to support each other. We need to encourage each other it’s ok to get help and we need to break these stigmas.⠀
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We need to generate as much awareness as possible in order to change the maternal mental health narrative in our country👏⠀

JOIN US👇

MMH Week 2020: #facesofPMAD

#facesofPMAD
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1 in 5 women will experience a maternal mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or even psychosis. In fact, women of childbearing age make up the largest depression demographic in the U.S. Although it’s the most common complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) are the most underdiagnosed and undertreated. Good news: these illnesses are likely temporary and 100% treatable with professional help. Follow the hashtag #facesofPMAD to see the army of women who’ve been there and want to raise awareness and end stigma.⠀
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As you can see these illnesses do not discriminate but they also don’t define our worth. We want to encourage you that you are not alone.⠀
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We are all survivors of PMADs and you will be too. Feel free to take your own selfie and use our hashtag to spread awareness.