On World Maternal Mental Health Day—May 8, 2020—I’d like to honor two heroes in the field of perinatal mental health. I was thrilled to be on the planning committee for the first World MMH Day in 2016. You can find a link to the 2020 events here, sign a petition for the UN to officially recognize the event, and follow #MaternalMHMatters on Twitter.
The first hero I’d like to honor is Angela Burling, and you can learn more about her story here. Angela was blindsided by postpartum psychosis, and lost her son Michael in 1983. She has bravely shared her experience and frequently speaks to the media on the topics of postpartum psychosis and infanticide. I’m honored to call Angela a friend, and we have worked together on various projects including a new Postpartum Psychosis Task Force that has been organized by Postpartum Support International (PSI).
The second hero I’d like to honor is Susan Feingold. With her partner, Barry Lewis, she helped shepherd passage of a groundbreaking law in Illinois that identifies postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis as “mitigating factors” that need to be considered in trial and sentencing. Susan and Barry went on to write “Advocating for Women with Postpartum Mental Illness, A Guide to Changing the Law and the National Climate.” You can purchase a copy here.
Angela and Susan are just two of my maternal mental health heroes. Through PSI, I have met hundreds more. As many as 1 in 5 new mothers and 1 in 10 new dads experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. Over 75% of women do not get diagnosed and do not receive adequate treatment and support. Most women eventually recover.
Postpartum psychosis is a temporary break with reality. A woman is 25 times more likely to experience psychosis in the month following childbirth than at any other time in her life. A small percent of women with postpartum psychosis will tragically take their own lives or the lives of their children. These tragedies are preventable with prompt intervention and treatment. It is important to recognize that these outcomes result from a mother’s heightened instinct to protect as opposed to harm her offspring, together with her distorted perception of reality. These are altruistic delusions.
The coronavirus pandemic had made being a new mom more challenging than normal. At a time when women need extra emotional support, many are isolated from family and friends. If you are a new mom in need of support, please visit https://www.postpartum.net/ for a list of local resources in your area.
A good way to support new moms and maternal mental health organizations in your community is through a donation to PSI. You can also purchase Susan’s book and other merchandise through Amazon Smile and they will donate a small portion to PSI.
