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Resisting Unjust Algorithms: Lessons from Maternal Health for Youth Mental Health and Education
In previous installations of this column, I have written about how communities of youth harmed by systemic oppression and inequities rely on peer-to-peer models of care on social media to meet healthcare, safety, and support needs when institutions fail to do so. Namely, queer youth are engaging in...
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From Silence to Support: Changing the Story on Maternal Mental Health
When I became a mother, I was prepared for a momentous life change. What I did not anticipate was the impact that pregnancy and postpartum could have on my mental health, in addition to my physical recovery. After giving birth to my first daughter, I dismissed my stress and sensitivity as the...
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From Silence to Support: How Doula Care Can Destigmatize Maternal Mental Health
Motherhood is often framed using this narrative of a “strong mother”—of self-sacrifice, resilience, perseverance, and unwavering devotion. They are expected to give endlessly, to find joy in every sleepless night, and to cope quietly with the unexpected realities of their new identity. While...
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Findings from New York State’s Report on Postpartum Depression Screening
Postpartum depression (PPD)—the most common perinatal mood and anxiety disorder—is a debilitating condition affecting at least one in eight people who give birth. PPD is more than just the “baby blues.” It is a more severe mood disorder that can last for many months. PPD may impair a...
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Project TEACH: A Perinatal Psychiatry Access Program Transforming Maternal Mental Healthcare in New York State
Maternal mental health conditions are one of the most common complications of pregnancy and birth, affecting one in five perinatal individuals (1,2) and 800,000 families annually in the United States, with 75% of those affected remaining untreated or undertreated (2). Mental health conditions are...
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Confronting Mental Health Stigma in Maternal Care
Mental health stigma—those persistent negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes about mental illness—remains a powerful barrier to care. When these perceptions translate into actions in our society, they become discrimination, and this limits opportunities for healing. Even though mental...
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Addressing Maternal Mental Health Through Connection and Care
The Transition Into Motherhood Becoming a mother is a profound transition—one that reshapes how a person sees themselves, their priorities, and their relationships. It’s a shift that can feel expansive and deeply meaningful, but also disorienting. With so much focus on the baby, it’s easy...
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Teen Mothers: When Stigma Trumps Compassion (and Research)
Key points: Many teen mothers succeed but do so despite the stresses that stigma imposes on them. Stresses on both mothers and babies are associated with severe health consequences, sometimes affecting their entire lives. Healthcare providers are often experienced as stigmatizing by teen...
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Breaking the Silence: How Reducing Stigma Can Improve Perinatal Mental Health Outcomes
May 7th is World Maternal Mental Health Day. This annual day of recognition across the globe aims to raise awareness around maternal mental health conditions, highlighting the importance of education, advocacy, prevention, and effective treatment and support for those experiencing perinatal mood...
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Developments Towards Greater Social-Emotional Support Before and After Birth
A robust body of interdisciplinary research has converged to show that healthy social-emotional development in pregnancy and the first five years sets the foundation for children’s long-term physical and mental health. When problems emerge, it is easier and far more effective to address them when...
