January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day and in Mississippi, the rate of self-reported postpartum depressive symptoms is significantly higher than the national average.
WXXV’s Aubrey Spears spoke with the Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health about the numbers and why it is important to highlight maternal mental health and postpartum depression.
The birth of a baby is both a time of joy and a bit of struggle for new parents as they navigate new routines, new responsibilities, and new experiences, but some parents struggle in silence.
According to Mississippians for Maternal Health Care, approximately 21 to 23.5 percent of Mississippi mothers experience symptoms of postpartum depression. The national average sits around 13 percent.
“It’s very important to recognize this and to bring more awareness to this and to have open and honest conversations because it affects so many people and so many moms in Mississippi.”
Wendy Bailey with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health says about 40 percent of new moms who struggle with PPD actually experience symptoms of depression while they are pregnant as well. “We know that the earlier you can get connected to resources, and the sooner that intervention can occur, the quicker you can get on a path to recovery, and you can feel better.”
Bailey says you should reach out for help if you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent and impact your ability to function daily. Symptoms include feeling sadness, anxiety, overwhelmed or hopeless, having difficulty bonding with baby, withdrawing from family or friends, and changes in your sleep or appetite.
Bailey says maternal mental health conditions are a leading cause of pregnancy related complications and can impact the development of your baby as well as long term family wellbeing.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, you can find resources on the Department of Mental Health’s free app ‘Mental Health Mississippi,’ you can visit the website mentalhealthms.com, or you can call 988 which is the 24/7 suicide and crisis hotline.
