Dear Reader,
Since today is #WorldMaternalMental Health Day, below are resources for mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring postpartum and more.
If you have any information about postpartum or would like to share your story, please email me at Camalot.Todd@Charter.com.
Spectrum News Buffalo will be resuming #IAm1in5 Facebook Lives at 1 p.m. EST, Thursday, May 7 with Heidi Billittier, the director of older adult services for Compeer of Greater Buffalo.
—Camalot K. Todd
May is a big month for mental health. In addition to being #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, it’s also Mother’s Day, and many soon to be mothers, or new mothers, are coping with parenthood during the global novel coronavirus pandemic.
Below is a list of resources for mothers, a look into symptoms of three major postpartum mental illnesses and how New York is helping during this time. If you’re interested in hearing how some women have coped, listen to the Postpartum in a Pandemic episode from the podcast Bodies.
Between 15 to 20 percent of all women experience some form of post-pregnancy mental health challenge, and suicide is one of the leading causes of death for postpartum women.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo adopted the recommendations of the COVID-19 Maternity Task Force last week on April 29. Those recommendations include diversifying birth site options and allowing doulas to be present during labor and delivery.
What Are Common Postpartum Diagnoses?
Postpartum Psychosis: The most severe postpartum diagnosis, affecting 1-2 out of 1,000 women and symptoms generally occur within the first 24-74 hours after birth. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and complaints of fatigue, insomnia and disordered thought processes.
People with a history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia diagnosis are more at risk.
Postpartum Depression: Postpartum Depression differs from the ‘baby blues,’ a term that describes mild mood changes post-birth with symptoms like mood changes, feelings of worry and exhaustion usually after the first two weeks of childbirth. Symptoms tend to last longer than two weeks and include persistent sadness, loss of interest in hobbies, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts about death or suicide.
Postpartum Anxiety: There are a few different postpartum anxiety diagnoses including postpartum panic disorder and postpartum obsessive disorder. Symptoms include constant worrying, racing thoughts, disturbances in sleep and appetite and physical symptoms like nausea and dizziness.
Resources:
This list is not comprehensive, if you know of any resources please email me at Camalot.Todd@Charter.com
The Motherhood Center of New York: This New York City-based center provides support and services to mothers experiencing postpartum. They’re currently operating virtual support groups, counseling, day classes and more.
Visit: http://www.themotherhoodcenter.com or call 212-335-0034.
Postpartum Resource Center of New York: The nonprofit serves all of New York and offers prevention programs, screening, awareness campaigns, education, support groups and more. Their Project 62 initiative serves both the state and specifically Western New York’s eight counties.
Visit: postpartumny.org/ or call 855-631-0001.
New York State Office of Mental Health: The state agency operates a prenatal care hotline at 1-800-522-5006 or TTY 1-800-655-1789. The New York Department of Health also has a list of robust services for mothers and their families.
Visit: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/maternal-depression/ to learn more.
Mental Health America: The organization has a public awareness campaign to raise awareness for maternal mental health called The Blue Dot Project.