Hundreds of thousands of women are suffering from mental illnesses related to pregnancy and childbirth in the United States. Only 15% of these women are being treated for their conditions due to a lack of awareness, services, and education on these issues (Stone, 2013). Many mothers may not know they need help and education on the mental health of mothers’ is not widely spread. Post-partum depression is not discussed by healthcare professionals as much as it should be as they do not want to offend or upset pregnant mothers will the details of depression.
Many health care providers do not have time to screen for post-partum depression and are not compensated for doing so (Stone, 2013). Most states do not mandate mental health screenings which is a large reason why so many women go untreated. Though programs do exist to help new mothers, not enough programs are being offered throughout the United States to help with the mental health issues these mothers face.
Another issue with the lack of treatment is due to a lack of resources. Many low-income mothers do not have access to healthcare, transportation, or childcare which can prevent them from seeking help. Many women refuse to seek help due to the stigma of post-partum depression in our society. Many individuals view mothers with post-partum depression as selfish and feel they do not want to be parents. A lack of understanding of the issue on the mother’s health can lead to long-lasting negative effects in the mother and child.
Stone, K. (2013, November 03). The Sorry State of Mental Health Care for New Mothers in the US. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://www.postpartumprogress.com/the-sorry-state-of-mental-health-care-for-new-mothers-in-the-us
Early Childhood Education 