Each May, we pause to recognize Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on the emotional challenges many parents face during pregnancy and the postpartum period. While bringing new life into the world can be deeply meaningful, it also brings stress, hormonal changes, identity shifts, and often, emotional distress that goes unseen. Like seriously, your body literally grew an entire human and now you’re figuring out how to adapt to your new ‘normal’? When nothing at times feels normal or comfortable at all.
At Redefine Wellness, we believe that maternal mental health is just as vital as physical health during the perinatal period. Whether it’s a first pregnancy or a fourth, whether the journey to parenthood was smooth or filled with obstacles, every birthing person deserves to feel supported, seen, and heard.
Being proactive about your mental health can make a significant difference. Recognizing warning signs and seeking support early can reduce or even prevent the severity of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Research indicates that early intervention, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) during pregnancy, can improve outcomes for both parent and child .Parents+3BioMed Central+3SELF+3
Why This Month Matters
According to Postpartum Support International, 1 in 5 women experience a Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) such as postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD. Despite how common these experiences are, stigma and misinformation often keep parents silent. Many worry they’ll be seen as “bad parents” or fear judgment for not loving every moment of early parenthood. On top of this, depending on where you live, there may be limited resources in your area. It’s funny to me because we have been birthing humans for as long as humans exist—yet this is one of the most underserved populations.
But here's the truth: Struggling doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. Asking for help is a sign of strength. We need to normalize reaching out and asking for help. To break the cycle, we must face our challenges head-on so that we can learn and grow, feeling empowered to help others when we see them struggle.
Common Signs of Perinatal Mental Health Challenges
Feeling persistently sad, numb, or overwhelmed
Racing thoughts or constant worry
Difficulty bonding with baby
Trouble sleeping (even when baby sleeps)
Feeling guilt, shame, or like you're "not doing it right"
Intrusive or scary thoughts that feel out of character
These symptoms are not just “baby blues” or a phase—they’re signs that extra support is needed, and effective treatment is available.
Spotlight on the Blue Dot Project
A key partner in raising awareness during this month is the Blue Dot Project. This initiative is a symbol of solidarity for those struggling with PMADs and a call to reduce stigma around maternal mental health.
Each May, the Blue Dot Project highlights a week of action and advocacy—this year from May 5th through May 11th—encouraging people to share their stories, raise awareness, and push for greater access to mental health support. While I’m a little late to share this (hello, mom brain!), it’s never too late to spread awareness. These conversations are needed year-round.
Supporting the Whole Parent
As a perinatal mental health specialist, I walk alongside parents through some of their most vulnerable moments. I help clients navigate identity shifts, relationship changes, grief, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Together, we process complex emotions and develop personalized tools for healing, grounded in evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, ERP, and motivational interviewing.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Therapy is a safe place to find clarity, rebuild trust in yourself, and rediscover joy in the season you’re in.
What You Can Do This Month (and Beyond)
Reach out – If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait. Support is available.
Find a provider – Use the PSI Provider Directory to connect with a perinatal-informed therapist near you. If you’re in Wisconsin reading this, the Mom’s Mental Health Initiative (MMHI) of Milwaukee also has a local directory for finding PMH-C providers.
Share stories – Normalize talking about the messy, beautiful, emotional realities of parenthood. (Check out my other blog posts on my website to hear a bit about my story.)
Advocate – Ask your OB, pediatrician, or community providers how they support maternal mental health.
Educate yourself – Learn more about PMADs, treatment options, and how to be a support to others.
Maternal mental health matters every month, but in May we’re reminded that healing begins when we stop hiding our pain. Parenthood is hard. Beautiful. Exhausting. Transformative. And no one should walk that path unsupported.
If you’re looking for a place to begin your healing journey, I’d be honored to walk with you.
As Postpartum Support International reminds us:
You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.
References
Blue Dot Project. (n.d.). About the Blue Dot Project. Retrieved May 2025, from https://www.thebluedotproject.org/about | Postpartum Support International. (n.d.). Get Help. Retrieved May 2025, from https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/ | Postpartum Support International. (n.d.). Provider Directory. Retrieved May 2025, from https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/ | Mom’s Mental Health Initiative. (n.d.). Provider Directory. Retrieved May 2025, from https://momsmentalhealthmke.org/ | Grote, N. K., Bridge, J. A., Gavin, A. R., Melville, J. L., Iyengar, S., & Katon, W. J. (2010). A meta-analysis of depression during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(10), 1012–1024. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.111 | Norhayati, M. N., Hazlina, N. H. N., Asrenee, A. R., & Emilin, W. M. A. W. (2015). Effect of cognitive behavioural therapy on depression, anxiety and stress among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 15, 234. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0627-0