MMHRC Blog
After Postpartum Depression, There’s No Shame in Only Having One Child
After a nightmare experience with postpartum depression, anxiety and PTSD, I have one child and I’ve put the reproductive stage of my life behind me. I was blessed with a magical little boy who turned five only a month ago. His status as an only child will stay, and it’s taken me the last five…
Read MoreIntrusive Thoughts Are Scary But They Don’t Make You a Bad Mom
Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome and often very upsetting thoughts that can literally come out of nowhere and leave you horrified. In a flash you may have a vision of dropping your baby or somehow hurting them with your kitchen knives. This thought leaves any mom terrified of what she may be capable of. Intrusive thoughts…
Read MoreMedication Shaming is Everywhere and It Has to Stop
Medication shaming and mental health stigma seem to go hand in hand. To me its always seemed that mental illness is slightly more socially acceptable if you’re able to manage it without meds. Those that do end up taking medication are left to tip toe around awkward conversations with co-workers and feel the scorn of…
Read MoreManage Anxiety During the Holidays with These 5 Simple Strategies
It’s no secret that the holiday season can be incredibly stressful and trigger anxiety for many of us. Managing the symptoms of anxiety can be challenging when we’re also trying to get through our to-do lists and take care of our kids. Instead of reacting to symptoms of anxiety when they happen, you can plan…
Read MoreAs Moms We Need to Start Talking About the Opioid Crisis
Over the last four years the opioid crisis has been gaining speed while claiming 100s of thousands of lives. Across the United States it’s estimated that 116 people die from opioid overdose every day. That’s a lot of people. It’s more than those dying in car accidents or from gun violence. Moms Need to Talk…
Read MoreI’m a Mom with Anxiety and Depression and Here’s How I Manage Both
Anxiety and depression carry with them a lot of stigma and shame. Before I had my son I struggled with both but rarely admitted this anyone, even my doctor. I had a few failed attempts when I tried antidepressants and took up long distance running to balance my mood. It seemed to work and I…
Read MorePatricia Tomasi: Maternal Mental Health is a Women’s Rights Issue
I got pregnant pretty fast. We thought it would take at least six months because that was the norm among our couple friends. But all it took was one quick romp on the couch before dinner on a Tuesday to make it happen. We didn’t even take our clothes off except, for, you know… We…
Read MoreFeatured Study: Peer Administered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression
Name of study Peer Administered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Postpartum Depression (PPD) Brief description of study Even though PPD affects 20% of the population, less than 15% of women receive evidence-based care. This study, based in Brantford, Ontario, is currently recruiting 148 women to test peer-administered CBT for PPD. Researchers will evaluate whether moms…
Read More6 Good Reasons Why Moms’ Mental Health Matters
Women’s issues get pushed to the side, especially those that are about our health and well being. Whether it’s drug trials that only use men as study participants or a lack of coordinated resources to address mental health – women and moms are an afterthought. But this week – Maternal Mental Health Week – we’re…
Read MoreFeatured Study: Comparing the Effectiveness of Clinicians and Home Visitors to Reduce Disparities in Perinatal Depression
Name of study Comparing the Effectiveness of Clinicians and Home Visitors to Reduce Disparities in Perinatal Depression, i.e., Which Kind of Home Visiting Programs Provide the Best Outcomes for Mothers with Postpartum Depression? Brief description of study Studies show that low-income pregnant women are at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression than middle or…
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