As we hear more about women experiencing prenatal or postpartum depression and anxiety, unfortunately, there remains a stigma surrounding seeking help for maternal mental health issues, which can prevent women from accessing the support they need. Today, we will discuss why the stigma remains and how to overcome the barriers of seeking help.
Understanding Maternal Mental Health:
Maternal mental health refers to a woman's mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This encompasses a range of conditions, including prenatal depression, postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, and more. These conditions can have significant impacts on both the mother and her child if left untreated.
The Stigma Surrounding Maternal Mental Health:
Despite growing awareness and understanding of maternal mental health issues, there remains a stigma attached to seeking help for these conditions. This stigma can manifest in various ways, including:
1. Societal Expectations: Society often places unrealistic expectations on mothers to be perfect and to effortlessly handle the challenges of motherhood. This can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy in mothers who are struggling with mental health issues.
2. Cultural Norms: Cultural beliefs and norms surrounding mental health vary widely, and in some cultures, there is a strong stigma associated with mental illness. This can prevent women from seeking help due to fear of judgment or ostracism from their community.
3. Fear of Judgment: Many women fear being judged by others if they admit to struggling with maternal mental health issues. This fear of judgment can be particularly strong among women who feel pressure to maintain a facade of “being the perfect mom”.
4. Internalized Stigma: In addition to external stigma, many women also internalize negative beliefs about mental illness and seeking help. They may view their struggles as a personal failure rather than recognizing them as real health concerns that warrant professional support.
The Importance of Seeking Help:
Overcoming the stigma of seeking help for perinatal mental health is crucial because untreated mental health issues can have serious consequences for both the mother and her child. Research has shown that maternal mental health problems can negatively impact pregnancy outcomes, infant development, and the mother-child relationship. By seeking help early and receiving appropriate treatment, women can mitigate these risks and improve their overall well-being.
Breaking Down Barriers to Help-Seeking:
Here are some strategies for overcoming these barriers:
1. Education and Awareness: Increasing public awareness and understanding of maternal mental health issues can help reduce stigma. This includes providing accurate information about the prevalence of these conditions, their potential causes, and the effectiveness of treatment options.
2. Promoting Open Dialogue: Encouraging open and honest conversations about maternal mental health can help normalize the experience of seeking help. By sharing their stories and experiences, women can help reduce feelings of isolation and shame.
3. Destigmatizing Mental Illness: Challenging negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental illness is essential for reducing stigma. Efforts are ever increasing to reduce the stigma of mental health, especially post-pandemic, but there remains growth to be had. This can involve portraying mental health issues in a more accurate and compassionate light in the media and pop culture.
4. Providing Accessible Support Services: Ensuring that women have access to affordable and culturally competent mental health services is essential for overcoming barriers to help-seeking. This may involve expanding access to perinatal mental health care, providing telehealth services, and offering support groups specifically tailored to the needs of mothers.
5. Empowering Women: Empowering women to prioritize their mental health and advocate for themselves is important in reducing stigma. This includes encouraging women to trust their instincts, seek support when needed, and prioritize self-care.
Overcoming the stigma of seeking help for maternal mental health is important for ensuring that women receive the support they need during pregnancy and the postpartum period. By addressing societal attitudes, promoting education and awareness, and providing accessible support services, we can work towards creating a culture where mothers feel comfortable seeking help for mental health issues without fear of judgment or stigma. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and every mother deserves support on her journey to mental wellness.
If you or someone you know is struggling with prenatal or postpartum depression or anxiety, help and support are out there. If you reside in Colorado or Texas I offer individual and couples counseling to those struggling with postpartum anxiety. I am a prenatal and postpartum therapist who helps women and their families from pregnancy, birth, through postpartum. If you would like to learn more about me and my work with moms click here
I provide online therapy with the ability to meet you anywhere. No need to find childcare or the extra time needed to get to and from an office.
If you live outside Colorado and Texas you can reach out to Postpartum Support International and they can connect you to a local therapist. They also offer a wide variety of support groups for moms and dads. You can click the link here to learn more: Postpartum Support International
with care,
Alison
About the author
Alison Hartman, LMFT is a licensed therapist in Colorado and Texas. Offering therapy to women and teen girls helping them find relief, hope, and balance in their lives. She has been working with moms, adolescents, and families for the past 11 years helping them to build healthy, resilient families. She specializes in pregnancy and postpartum counseling. Reach out today to learn more.