With Mother’s Day come and gone, the health unit is reminding to take care of mom’s mental health.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging people to remember that “support is key for Mothers Suffering Mental Health Problems During Pregnancy or After Having a Baby”.
According to the health unit, an estimated two in 10 women will suffer from maternal mental health problems during pregnancy and in the first year following the birth of a baby. Expecting mothers, and mothers that have already given birth can reach out to the health unit by calling 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5003, and speak to a Public Health Nurse.
The health unit says that experts are not exactly sure of what causes mental health concerns in mothers, but it is believed that they are related to many factors such as stress, financial worries, changes in hormones, past depression, relationship problems and lack of support.
“Mother’s Day is the special day when we recognize mothers and all they do for us,” says Yona Attis, a Public Health Nurse with the HKPR District Health Unit. “The fact is, however, that many can experience feelings of depression and mood/anxiety disorders during pregnancy and after a baby is born. These feelings can make being a mom very difficult.”
Attis says “We see that more than 75 per cent of women going through maternal mental health problems do not get diagnosed and do not receive adequate treatment and support,” she adds. “This, in turn, can lead to long-term consequences for both mother and baby.”
“Talking to someone about these types of feelings is an important step,” Attis says. “It’s not about blaming or judging the person, but caring and helping them through challenging times.”