On Mother’s Day consider a mom’s mental health

Listen up, kids of all ages: Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11!

Mother’s Day became an official US holiday in the early 1900s but has origins in ancient Greek and Roman society when festivals were held to honor mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. Fun facts: did you know that Mother’s Day is the 3rd most popular holiday in the world after Christmas and Easter? …that the most frequently-given gift is flowers? …that more phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year?

When you call that special mom-to-be or new mom this Mother’s Day, ask her how she’s feeling. May is Maternal Mental Health Month ( Maternal Mental Health Month 2025 | Postpartum Support International (PSI) ). In addition, Maternal Mental Health Week is May 5-11 ( Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week — The Blue Dot Project Maternal Mental Health ) and World Maternal Mental Health Day is May 7 ( World Maternal Mental Health Day ).

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, also called PMADs, are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth: One in Five birthing persons will experience mental health concerns during pregnancy or the first postpartum year. Astoundingly, these conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 22% of pregnancy-related deaths (including suicide). While depression and anxiety are most common, PMADs also include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which may stem from birth trauma, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which may include intrusive/unwanted thoughts of harming baby, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, and Postpartum Psychosis (very rare yet very serious: psychosis during or after pregnancy is a medical emergency).

Non-birthing parents including fathers, partners, and adoptive parents are also at risk for experiencing mental health conditions related to pregnancy and parenting. As many as 1 in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression or anxiety, with maternal PMADs being the #1 predictor of paternal mood changes. The infant and other children in the home may experience significant consequences, as well, including preterm birth/low birth weight, impaired parent-child interactions, and behavioral, cognitive, or emotional delays.

No one is immune from maternal mental health conditions but certain factors increase risk. These include personal or family history of mental illness, being a person of color, facing financial stress, being a military service member/spouse, veteran, teen parent, or immigrant, having a baby in the NICU, lacking social support, and having a history of birth or sexual trauma.

Treating maternal mental health problems before they have far-reaching and lasting impact is vital. There are many barriers to care, however, including stigma, lack of access or distrust of the healthcare system, fear that child protective services will be notified, fear of being considered a “bad mom,” and racial, cultural, and religious beliefs. Understanding these potential barriers is an important step toward improved access to effective treatment options including psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and peer support.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers many resources for mothers and the people who care about them, including partners, family, and care providers. Go to Postpartum Support International - PSI to learn more about the symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions, search for specially trained mental health care providers or online support groups (PSI has over 50 free options), get linked with a peer mentor, join the weekly Chat with an Expert for moms or dads, find information about the PSI app or the PSI helpline (800-944-4773, English or Spanish), and learn how to donate, volunteer, and advocate for maternal mental health via PSI.

If you are experiencing maternal mental health issues, please reach out to your health care provider, your family, and friends. If you are in crisis, go to your local Emergency Room, or call/text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA, with 60 languages available ), National Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988).

Remember, as the Postpartum Support International tagline notes,“You are not alone and you are not to blame. With help you will be well.”

Stacey A. Pawlak, PhD is a perinatal psychologist, director of the Women’s Wellness & Counseling Service at UIHC ( Women's Wellness and Counseling Service | University of Iowa Health Care ), and board member for Postpartum Support International.