BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Wednesday is the 6th annual World Maternal Mental Health Day, which serves as a reminder to new moms that maternal mental health should be a priority.
Pregnancy and birth can be emotionally complicated even under the best of circumstances and now add on to that, a global pandemic.
"Mental health complications are one of the most common complications in pregnancy and postpartum," said Dr. Lenna Mittal, the director of women's mental health at Brigham and Woman's Hospital.
She added because of the pandemic, there's been a lot of changes in the way prenatal care is delivered along with the birthing experience and the support a new mother is given.
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Mittal said one in five women will be affected by some type of mental health complication during their pregnancy or up to 12 months after giving birth.
The goal of World Maternal Mental Health Day said Mittal, is to let mothers know they're not to blame and help is available.
"It helps connect providers to consultations around prenatal mental health and help provide resources and referral services anywhere in the state," said Mittal.
She added, the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms is one local resouces, new and expecting mothers can utilize. Mittal said they have effective and well-researched treatment options available to help women recover.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) Reports
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