When you think of mothers and motherhood, what are the first things that come to mind? Perhaps you envision the beauty of labor and giving life, the tenderness of cradling a newborn and breastfeeding, or that busy mom at the supermarket juggling two under
two.
Motherhood is synonymous with an abundance of love, nourishment and comfort for many people. But when it comes to the mental health of mothers, there’s much more to the picture. Shame, guilt, depression (including postpartum depression), and overall
mental and physical exhaustion are also common aspects of motherhood that many moms struggle to recognize or discuss
Our society places an enormous amount of pressure on mothers to do it all and be it all. We are openly critical of the mother who goes back to work too soon, and in the same breath, tell the stay-at-home mom to get a job. We dissect a mother’s choice to breastfeed or not, when those choices are unique to the circumstances and health of each mother and her child and are really none of our business.
According to Adrienne Griffen, executive director of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, “one in five women will experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy or the first year of a baby’s life.”
But too often, symptoms of depression, anxiety, or even an underlying health condition are minimized or dismissed as the effects of hormonal changes, affecting the psychological well-being of mothers.
On this Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate and show our appreciation for the mothers in our lives by developing a better understanding of the very real and complex challenges of motherhood along with the signs and symptoms of potential mental health
problems.
Common challenges faced by contemporary mothers
Potential signs of maternal mental health issues
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek support from friends and family, as well as a mental health professional.