In this episode, we dive into the complex world of maternal mental health with a spotlight on postpartum depression and anxiety and the challenges of sleep deprivation. Join us as we explore the emotional and physical toll that new motherhood can bring and uncover practical strategies for the support and care of postpartum families.
Meet our guests:
Adrienne Griffen is the Executive Director of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA). It’s a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the mental health of mothers and childbearing people in the United States with a focus on national policy and health equity.
MMHLA advocates for improved maternal mental health care and serves as a trusted source of information related to maternal mental health. MMHLA’s advocacy efforts have led to almost $200 million in federal funding for maternal mental health programs at the national and state levels.
Adrienne serves on the National Maternal Mental Health Task Force and on the Boards of Directors of the Marce Society of North America, and the Mental Health Liaison Group. She also founded Postpartum Support Virginia, which she led for ten years, building a statewide network of support groups and maternal mental health coalitions that have helped thousands of new mothers.
Episode Resources
- Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance
- AWHONN Annual Convention
- Note: Access to #AWHONN2024 Expired on August 15, 2024
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA)
- MMHLA Fact Sheet Library
- Includes MMHLA Steps to Wellness
- Stoller Strides – Fit4Mom
- Perinatal Health Equity Initiative
- Postpartum Support International (HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773)
- Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month (May)
- Moms Who Serve (The MOMS Act)
- Moyer, S. W., Ameringer, S., Elswick, R. K., Jr., Nunziato, J. D., Kinser, P. A. (2024). Exploration of the psychometric properties of the EPDS-US, a validation study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 352: 193-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.025
- AWHONN Compendium of Postpartum Care
- Maternal Mortality Review Committees
- Kleiman, K. R., & Baskin, V. D. (2013). This isn’t what I expected: Overcoming postpartum depression (2nd ed). Da Capo Lifelong Books.
- Task Force on Maternal Mental Health
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