Your Health Today
World Maternal Mental Health Day Highlights the Urgent Need for Perinatal Support
Today marks World Maternal Mental Health Day — a global effort to raise awareness about the mental health challenges many people face before, during, and after pregnancy.
Experts say the perinatal period, which begins at pregnancy and extends up to a year after giving birth, is a vulnerable time for mood disorders. In the U.S. alone, about 800,000 people experience mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or postpartum psychosis during this time.
“And only 25% of those people get treated for it,” said Andrea Clark, Deputy CEO of Postpartum Support International.
Clark emphasizes that inadequate screening is a major factor in why many perinatal mental health issues go unaddressed. She stresses the importance of checking in at multiple stages — from prenatal visits to postpartum care.
“There is sort of a stigma and even a reluctance sometimes to name things that might be going on emotionally or mentally because of fear,” Clark said, noting that some people worry they will be seen as unfit parents.
Warning signs can vary but often include trouble getting out of bed, changes in appetite, persistent sadness, lack of bonding with the baby, and even thoughts of harm toward oneself or the baby. Clark says these are serious indicators that care should be sought immediately.
“There’s help. There’s hope. And you are not to blame — you are not alone,” she added.
Postpartum Support International reminds the public that perinatal mental health conditions can affect not just the birthing person, but also partners and other family members. These illnesses are treatable, and individuals do not need a formal diagnosis to reach out for help.
Credit: CNN Newsource
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
May 7, 2025
Latest Instagram Posts
Passenger at Palm Springs International Airport, Kaitlyn James expresses frustration over airlines communications and operations during the almost 5 hour, nationwide, FAA ground stop #faa #groundstop #continuingcoverage #reactions #localnews
After over 4 hours of fully stopped departures, passengers make their way back to the Palm Springs International Airport after the nationwide ground stop was lifted #groundstop #faa #update #coachellavalley #760
You asked what those 39,000 public records actually uncovered. Here are the receipts. #therogginreport #deserthotsprings #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
BREAKING NEWS 🚨: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ISSUES NATIONWIDE GROUND STOP, HALTING DEPARTURES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs on our socials and story posts for the latest updates #breakingnews #faa #nbcpalmsprings #groundstop #nationalnews
🎣 The fish are coming to Lake Cahuilla! Watch as Lake Cahuilla is stocked with fish ahead of the community Fishing Derby! A big thank-you to Mark Jernigan, owner of Yellow Mart in Indio, for being a longtime supporter of this special community event. Local businesses like Yellow Mart help keep traditions like this going! Get ready to cast a line and enjoy a great day at the lake! 🐟 #LakeCahuilla #FishingDerby #YellowMart #IndioCA #CoachellaValley #CommunitySupport
FINAL SCORE: FIREBIRDS WIN! 🔥🏒 A 2-1 victory for your Coachella Valley Firebirds tonight! Another hard-fought win, another reason to celebrate in the desert! 🐦🔥 WHO’S READY FOR MORE? 🔥 #Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValley #HockeyTown #firebirdswin
🏒 PREGAME WITH TIM O’BRIEN! 🔥 The Firebirds are back on home ice tonight, and Tim O’Brien has the message heading into tonight’s matchup! Coachella Valley is looking to turn things around and defend home ice against the San Jose Barracuda. It’s time to get loud, Firebirds fans! LET’S GO BIRDS! 🔥 📍 Acrisure Arena 🕖 Puck drop: 7 PM #CVFirebirds #OneValley #TimOBrien #Hockey #FirebirdsHockey
289 requests from ONE requester-14x more than anyone else in the city. s That’s 2,200 staff hours and over $100K in wages alone coming straight out of taxpayers pockets. 😳 #therogginreport #deserthotsprings #publicrecords #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
An 18-year-old’s life cut short and a search for answers continues. Authorities identified Angel Luna of Desert Hot Springs as the young man killed in a shooting Tuesday night on Calle Rojo in Coachella. No arrest have been made, and investigators are working to identify suspects.
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry! Two weeks until Thanksgiving. What are your plans?