World Maternal Mental Health Day
In many countries, as many as 1 in 5 new mothers experiences some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, often with tragic and long-term consequences to both mother and child.
Women of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options available to help women recover.
Women are sometimes considered to be criminals instead of patients needing treatment, in the case of infanticide. Through building awareness, it aims to prevent these tragedies and stands for just and scientifically based care.
Increasing awareness will drive social change with a goal toward improving the quality of care for women experiencing all types of PMADs, and reducing the stigma of maternal mental illness.
Did you know?
Why Maternal Mental Health Should be a PriorityLife changes around pregnancy make women more vulnerable to mental illness. The negative cycle of poverty and mental illness impact on a woman’s ability to function and thrive. This may also directly affect her foetus or child, with long-lasting physical, cognitive and emotional outcomes. Mental health care provides the necessary support to empower women to identify resources and personal capabilities. This can enhance their resilience to difficult life circumstances and support them to nurture their children optimally. Caring for mothers is a positive intervention for long-term social development.
Women with PMADWorldwide, as many as 1 in 5 women experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD). Statistics vary by country, but this is a worldwide concern. PMADs include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum bipolar, and postpartum psychosis.
Women hiding their symptomsEstimates are that 7 in 10 women hide or downplay their symptoms. Without understanding, support, and treatment these mental illnesses have a devastating impact on the women affected and on their partners and families.
Family mental healthPerinatal mood disorders affect the entire family. Many people don’t realize that about 1 in 10 dads develop depression during this time. An integrated approach to family mental health allows both parents to move beyond the postpartum period as a thriving family unit.
Miscarriage or stillbirthIt is estimated that 20 – 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth. In addition to grief, many of these women also experience postpartum depression. Giving birth to a premature child, or having a child spend extended time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, can also take a toll on maternal mental health.
Maternal Mental Health Advocates
USA
Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides direct peer support to families, trains professionals, and provides a bridge to connect them. PSI has volunteer coordinators throughout the United States and in 42 countries.
UK
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) is a coalition of UK organisations committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of women and their children in pregnancy and the first postnatal year. The MMHA currently comprises over seventy organisations that represent, or provide care and support to, parents and families.
Turkey
Turkey Maternal Mental Health Awareness Alliance focuses on prevention, screening, improved treatment of pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders which affect approximately 14-36% of moms in Turkey. Coordinator: Prof.Dr.Nazan Aydın, Bakirkoy Women Mental Health Center
Australia
COPE stands for Centre of Perinatal Excellence. COPE connects, informs and empowers individuals to reduce the personal, social and economic impacts of perinatal mental health disorders in the community. We do this by raising awareness and understanding of perinatal mental health and best practice, supporting professionals through innovation in screening and referral, and informing governments and health providers through advocacy and applied research.
USA
The MMH Coalition unites members from organizations committed to addressing maternal mental health by engaging stakeholders, raising awareness, and advocating for change in policies and practices to ensure all mothers receive the help they need so they and their families can thrive.
South Africa
The Perinatal Mental Health Project in South Africa addresses the crisis of mental illness related to pregnancy among women living in adversity. We are based at the University of Cape Town and located within the Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health.
Canada
The Maternal Wellness Clinic assesses and treats women and men in Ontario who have perinatal psychiatric illnesses. We provide econsults on OTN. We offer evidence-based, holistic prevention and treatment strategies, including Interpersonal and Cognitive-behavioural therapies and medication management.
Canada
The Maternal Mental Health Strategy was created in 2010 by a group of healthcare professionals, women, and government staff to improve screening, treatment, awareness, and policy in Saskatchewan, Canada. The first Maternal Mental Health Day was proclaimed in May, 2014. Chair: Angela Bowen, RN PhD, University of Saskatchewan.
France
La Teppe Medical Center in South of France has been involved in perinatal psychiatry for more than 15 years. A hot spot of patient advocacy, La Teppe hosts regular regional, national and international workshops under the auspices of the Marcé Society and Postpartum Support International.
New Zealand
PND Wellington is a non –governmental organization, whose funding comes from grants and donations. It was established in 1989 to provide support, information and education to women experiencing post or ante-natal distress. PND Wellington also provides support, information and education to partners and families, as well as community education and professional consultation.
Canada
The BC Provincial RMH Program consists of a multidisciplinary team of specialized professionals with many years of clinical and research experience. We work with women and their families who are dealing with mental health challenges or disorders related to pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, and infertility.
Nigeria
Postpartum Support Network (PSN) is set up to provide support for families and mothers suffering postpartum depression and related illnesses in Africa. PSN is leading an awareness campaign on postpartum depression in Nigeria, Educating mothers, and offering them FREE postpartum depression screening. PSN is also leading a research on the prevalence of PPD in Nigeria.
Spain
La Sociedad Marcé Española para la Salud Mental Perinatal (MARES) es una asociación para el estudio, la comprensión, la prevención y el tratamiento de los trastornos mentales relacionados con el embarazo, parto y posparto. El objetivo principal de esta Sociedad es promover, facilitar y comunicar los conocimientos científicos actuales sobre la salud mental perinatal de las mujeres, sus hijos y parejas. Es una sociedad multidisciplinar que promueve la participación y el encuentro de todas las disciplinas implicadas en la salud mental perinatal.
Germany
The German Marce Society is a regional group of the International Marce Society (IMS).
We are active in 4 german speaking countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy
We support the same issues as the IMS on a local level and hold meetings in german language.
International
The Marce Society is so happy to support World Maternal Mental Health Day. It fits with our goal to promote, facilitate, and communicate about research that improves the mental health of women, their infants, and partners.
France
SMF vise l’amélioration de la compréhension, de la prévention et du traitement des troubles psychiques et relationnels liés à la puerpéralité et à leur retentissement dans le champ de la petite enfance. Ses objectifs : passage des connaissances, information, formation, recherche.
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