Addiction, depression and anxiety are examples of mental health conditions. One in five Americans are affected during their lifetime, which means every American is impacted either directly, or through their friends and family. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.
Since 1949, May has been designated Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health awareness is not just about what others can do for us, but what we can do for ourselves. The theme this year is around risky behaviors. By acting early and effectively, we can prevent many mental illnesses from progressing, and in some cases, from occurring at all. Sometimes people engage in potentially risky behavior to manage, avoid or cover up other symptoms of a mental health problem. Because these behaviors can be similar to those considered a normal part of growing up, the people who care about those struggling may underreact or over react.
Lovelace’s Labor of Love program and our community partners are exploring some of these topics that occur before, during and after pregnancy. Each week we will be posting blogs, sharing FB live events and posting video content related to the topics of perinatal mental health, postnatal paternal depression, postpartum depression, as well as chemical dependency and addiction during pregnancy.
You may ask yourself why we are sharing this information with you. We want you to know about these topics because they are important to you, your family, your friends and your community.
Pregnancy and parenting are not always what we envision or expect. In severe cases of depression or addiction, parents may not be able to function and child development can suffer. Even if the person suffering is not you, chances are you know someone who needs support. Mental health and addiction disorders are treatable when effective interventions are delivered by well-trained providers.
Please feel free to visit our past blogs on recognizing the signs and asking for help, how yoga can help with pregnancy-related depression and about what to expect at your OB visits.
Contact Labor of Love for support accessing community resources and navigating the health care system before, during or after your delivery. Our goal is to provide our families with the best resources our community has to offer.
If you are seeking help or more information, please email LovelaceLaborOfLove@lovelace.com or call 505.727.7677.