Stephanie Wu faced the tough challenge of postpartum depression after each of her two children were born. She remembers a moment when her son cried because he saw her crying, and it made everything more difficult for both of them.
Seeking help, she found the Motherhood Center in New York. “I knew I was coming here to cry with other mothers,” she shared. The center specializes in treating mood and anxiety disorders related to pregnancy and postpartum experiences.
Paige Bellenbaum, the center’s founding director, emphasizes that these conditions are treatable. Having gone through severe postpartum depression herself, she’s devoted the last twenty years to helping others navigate their challenges.
“After I got better, I felt really angry,” Bellenbaum recalled. Many women she spoke to shared similar feelings. “And nobody was talking about it,” she noted, which fueled her passion for raising awareness.
When Wu participated in the daily treatment program at the center, she found her community. “I was like, these are my people! Where have you been all my life?” she exclaimed. This shared experience made her feel understood, and she realized she wasn’t alone in her struggle.
The Motherhood Center, established in 2017, offers various treatment options, both virtually and in-person. This flexibility allows for a tailored approach for each patient. Co-founder Dr. Catherine Birndorf mentioned that their approach isn’t a secret; it’s based on effective treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
The need for such a center became increasingly apparent after the CDC released findings showing that a significant percentage of maternal deaths were linked to suicide and substance use. This led to changes in policy, like extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum care to a full year, which is a significant win for mental health advocacy.
In 2022, the National Maternal Mental Health hotline was created, highlighting the growing priority placed on maternal mental health issues. Bellenbaum noted a surge in awareness and funding to improve care and support for mothers.
Despite these advances, there is still a call for more mental health providers and trained physicians to address these issues early. Adrienne Griffen from the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance stresses the importance of recognizing conditions before they worsen.
“If you know something’s wrong, something’s wrong,” said Dr. Birndorf. Griffin added that stigma should not prevent women from seeking help. It’s crucial for mothers to understand that experiencing these feelings doesn’t make them bad parents; rather, it shows their strength in asking for support.
After completing the day program at the Motherhood Center, Wu continued to experience challenges but felt equipped with tools to manage her feelings better. “I learned that I wasn’t going to be ‘fixed’ all at once, but I could cope with my emotions,” she explained.
Her journey inspired her to support other mothers facing similar struggles. “I felt so alone for a long time,” Wu reflected. Now, she wants to help others not feel isolated. “It’s therapeutic for me too to be around those who understand.”
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