Making a Difference: Helping Mothers, Helping Babies

Around the world, as many as 2 in 10 new mothers experiences some type of perinatal mental health issues. Having a child is viewed as being a happy time in a woman's life however for many it can be a dark, terrifying and isolating place. Maternal mental health illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, often with long-term and sometimes tragic consequences to both mother and child. Women of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options available to help women recover. Dr. Saira Kalia, discusses the importance of maternal mental health and how perinatal psychiatry can affect the trajectory of a person’s life for the better... Read More