You Are Not Alone: Honoring Maternal Mental Health

Dr. Shari-ann James
May 5
3 min read

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is observed during the first full week of May, which in 2025 falls on May 5–11. Every year, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us of a simple but powerful truth: mothers matter too.

Behind every birth story is a whole person - navigating the emotional, physical, and mental transformation that comes with motherhood. And yet, too many mothers are silently carrying invisible burdens. Exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety, and even depression often go unspoken.

Let’s start speaking.

Motherhood is full of paradoxes. Joy and grief. Gratitude and frustration. Deep love and deep fatigue. These experiences are real- and they are more common than you think.

You’re not the only one who has cried in the shower, or felt like you were losing pieces of yourself while trying to hold everything together. You’re not weak for needing help. In fact, asking for support is a sign of strength.

During this week, we also recognize that maternal mental health doesn’t look the same for everyone. Culture, community, and identity shape how we experience motherhood and how we seek care. Every story matters -and every mother deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported in ways that are meaningful to her.

So whether you're in the thick of it, gently healing, or supporting someone you love-know this:

✨ You are not alone.

✨ Healing is possible.

✨ Your story matters.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s build a world where maternal mental health is not an afterthought, but a priority.

Maternal Mental Health Statistics (U.S. and Global):

1 in 5 women will experience a maternal mental health condition such as postpartum depression or anxiety.(Source: Postpartum Support International)
Up to 70% of women may experience the “baby blues” in the first few days postpartum, but these typically resolve within 1–2 weeks.(Source: March of Dimes)
75% of those affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders go untreated.(Source: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline)
Suicide and overdose are leading causes of maternal death in the first year postpartum in some countries, including the U.S.(Source: CDC, 2022)
Maternal mental health conditions cost the U.S. $14 billion per year, mainly due to lack of treatment and downstream effects on children and families.(Source: Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance)
Women of color are twice as likely to experience maternal mental health conditions, and less likely to receive treatment.(Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association)

🌿 A Moment for You: Grounding + Self-Compassion Exercise

Sometimes all we need is a gentle pause. Try this short practice whenever you feel overwhelmed:

Step 1: Pause and NoticePlace one hand on your heart and one on your belly.Take a slow breath in through your nose.Exhale slowly through your mouth. Let your shoulders drop.

Ask yourself:🕊 What am I feeling right now?🕊 Where do I feel it in my body?

No judgment-just noticing.

Step 2: Speak Kindly to Yourself