CONNECTICUT, USA — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and an important topic when discussing mental health is maternal mental health, specifically postpartum mental health.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20% of women in the postpartum period experience a mental health condition. Studies show that 15% of moms with a mental health condition are getting the support they need.
When a new mom experiences a mental health condition, it can affect the whole family.
Melissa Fairhurst is a Connecticut therapist who specializes in postpartum mental health support. She thinks it is important to start conversations around stressors moms face so they feel less alone.
Fairhurst says the age-old saying of “it takes a village” doesn’t apply to millennial mothers anymore. When it comes to that village, “you have to build it,” she said.
On Instagram, she shares Reels and videos that bring humor or spark discussion on the difficult issues new parents face. She has attracted thousands of followers from around the country. Part of her work is tackling the stigma behind maternal mental health and making sure moms feel comfortable reaching out if they’re struggling.
“Struggling is feeling like in your day-to-day life you’re having a difficult time navigating,” she said. “You’re having a difficult time pushing through, whether that’s intrusive thoughts, anxiety, worry, difficulty leaving the baby or not feeling confident doing certain things.”
Fairhurst says moms don’t need a diagnosis to get help. She said they should ask for help if something feels “off.”
“Sometimes mom feel like, ‘I can’t tell anyone.’ Friends, partner or an OBGYN!” she said. “[They think] ‘What will they say? Is that going to be bad?’”
Fairhurst encourages expectant moms and their partners to get set up with mental health resources before the baby arrives and understand symptoms, so if they recognize those symptoms and need the help, it is already in place.
“When you have a support in place, like a professional," Fairhurst said, "it’s an avenue for you to be able to say, ‘this is what I’m feeling.”
She says a therapist will help moms come up with strategies to cope with new feelings.
But it is not just moms with newborns; post-partum struggles can affect moms months or years after birth.
Fairhurst said, “No matter where you are, even if your baby is one or your baby is two and you feel like you are struggling, just reach out for help."
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