Maternal Mental Health Month: More than just the ‘baby blues’

TOLEDO, Ohio — May is recognized across the US, as well as other places, as Maternal Health Awareness Month. It’s considered a time to focus on the well-being of mothers before, during, and after pregnancy mental health.

The first Wednesday of the month is known to many as World Maternal Mental Health Day. During the day organizations across the globe lead efforts to raise awareness about maternal mental health using various media and events to push out messages of support and access to programs for help. 

Licensed clinical counselor Allison Kuhr told WTOL 11 that mothers and expectant mothers should pay attention to their mental health and wellness. 

“While baby blues can be something that comes and goes after a few months once baby is born, there’s also a reality that something else can be there and be nagging at moms. This can be especially hard to accept, if the baby is healthy and everyone looks fine, something can still feel off,” Kuhr said. 

The purpose is to help moms so they can continue helping their babies to survive, explained Kuhr. As a counselor licensed in Ohio and Michigan, when treating trauma and perinatal mental health (mental health needs before, during and after pregnancy), she says family and friends looking for signs mom needs help are key. 

Since many countries, have reported nearly 1 in 5 new mothers experiencing some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs). Kuhr said it’s not uncommon for the illnesses to go unnoticed and untreated, resulting at times in tragic and long-term consequences to both mother and child.

“Ask your friends ‘How are you?’ after they give a light hearted response, wait a second. Then make an intentional move to ask once again ‘How are you?’ by challenging them to realize you want to know about them. It will cause them to think hard about what’s going on with them and answer more truthfully,” Kuhr said. 

Data estimates nearly 7 out of 10 women will downplay their symptoms. PMADs includes postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum bipolar, and postpartum psychosis, all things which can be missed or ignored until it’s too late. 

Organizations and mental health professionals have explained that caring for mothers is a positive intervention, never think you’re getting in the way for just asking how someone is when it comes to pregnancy, new babies and moms for long-term social development.

Prior to the airing of this story, WTOL 11 put  out a request to viewers on social media: any and everyone with maternal mental health questions were welcome to send them in. From there Kuhr said she would answer them honestly and hopefully put clarity out viewers. She said she was hopeful for numerous questions. 

WTOL 11 waited for days for questions to come in before the interview, but sadly received none.

“I’m not surprised there weren’t any questions sent in, because this isn’t an easy topic. Talking about mental health in general is hard, not to mention adding on the context of motherhood,” Kuhr said.