America's Maternal Mental Health Crisis

1️⃣Many new moms feel overwhelmed, tired, and anxious postpartum, but believe it to be normal.​

2️⃣It becomes apparent only when extreme symptoms occur that the issue might be more serious. 

1️⃣Mothers often don't get the medical attention they require, despite attempting to seek help.​

2️⃣Lack of mental healthcare access exacerbates their condition. 

1️⃣Follows the journey of Jackie, a new mother who suffered severe postpartum depression.​

2️⃣Her struggles with symptoms, seeking treatment, and the lack of immediate help available. 

1️⃣Patience, a mental health therapist and mother, offers insight into the perinatal mental health spectrum.​

2️⃣She mentions the need for comprehensive treatments including therapy, medication, and community. 

1️⃣1 in 3 black or brown women experience postpartum depression and anxiety.​

2️⃣Black women are twice as likely as white women to experience these issues due to healthcare discrimination.

1️⃣Introduction of FDA approved drugs for postpartum depression, one of them a pill. 

2️⃣These drugs show promise in relieving symptoms quickly and efficiently.

1️⃣There are still challenges in accessing quality healthcare for postpartum mental health.​

2️⃣Many mothers are still struggling to receive the help they need. 

1️⃣Maternal mental health is a crucial aspect of health care that needs more attention.​

2️⃣Highlighting the severity of postpartum mental health conditions can help reduce their prevalence and impact.

1️⃣ A turning point for Jackie was getting access to specialized maternal mental health center. 

2️⃣ Demonstrates the need for specific interventions for postpartum mental illnesses.

1️⃣ The U.S. finds itself as an outlier with high rates of maternal mortality. 

2️⃣ There's a call for an integrated healthcare system focusing on mothers' mental health.

1️⃣ Many mothers, like Jackie and Patience, initially did not realize they needed help.

2️⃣ Need for more awareness about severity and symptoms of maternal mental health disorders.

1️⃣ Uncommon symptoms, like anger in Patience’s case, often go unrecognized as signs of underlying issues.

2️⃣ There's a need for better education about the wide spectrum of postpartum symptoms. 

1️⃣ Barriers to access, like long waiting times to see a mental health professional, exacerbate maternal mental health crises.

2️⃣ Must prioritize increasing access to mental healthcare services.

1️⃣ The critical role of community support in helping mothers, like in Patience's case.

2️⃣ Highlights the need for systemic support structures for new mothers.

1️⃣ Lack of representation in healthcare professionals further isolates black and brown women.

2️⃣ Need for increased representation in the healthcare workforce to improve trust and communication.

1️⃣ The FDA approval of the first pill for postpartum depression is a crucial step.

2️⃣ Further innovative solutions needed to address maternal mental health crisis