Did you know?
- Approximately 15% of pregnant women significant depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
- One third of these women start experiencing symptoms for the first time during pregnancy – a time when well-meaning friends, family and even health care providers may dismiss their symptoms as “normal.” These women are often asked, “What’s wrong with you? You should be feeling happy and excited.”
- This reaction bolsters the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and can cause women to avoid talking to their medical providers about what they are experiencing.
In fact…
- Half of the women experiencing symptoms during pregnancy will not seek help!
- Many cannot afford behavioral health care, and still others cannot find trained behavioral health providers either due to insurance limitations, transportation problems, and language barriers.
- Nearly all find it takes weeks to get an appointment and be seen by a trained professional for counseling and treatment.
Untreated depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can have a devastating impact on both mother and unborn baby
- A new mother’s confidence in herself and her ability to bond with her new baby or other children in the home can be affected by untreated mental health concerns.
- Her ability to ask for, and receive help from, her medical providers and support network can be impaired.
- The experience can feel isolating, frightening, and devastating to a new mother.
Treatment Works! Please join us in helping improve our community’s access to Mental Health Care
