Raising awareness of postpartum depression
Motherhood is a daunting task, and it’s only natural that an exhausted mother worries about her ability to care for her newborn.
But when sadness and anxiety become so extreme that a mother’s ability to care for herself, her child, or her family are in jeopardy, it can be time to seek professional help.
Spreading the word about postpartum depression and getting help for mothers suffering from it is the aim of the Washington County agency tasked with fulfilling the goals of $250,000 grant from the state Department of Human Services.
“We’ve not received any funding yet,” Jan Taper, director of the county’s office of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, said recently. “You have to assume it’s going through. We were mind-boggled by the whole thing.”
On her Facebook page, state Sen. Camera Bartolotta announced, “I was pleased to advocate for this funding to help ensure mothers are aware of the signs of (postpartum depression) and all of the resources that are available to help families who are affected by it.”
With the state’s fiscal year beginning today, Melissa Aberegg, early intervention coordinator at the county agency, expects during the next six months to focus on community outreach and education about postpartum depression, “getting the word out there and identifying existing supports within the community.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression occurs in nearly 15% of births, and it “may begin shortly before or any time after childbirth,” commonly between a week and a month after delivery.
Because of the severity of the symptoms, postpartum depression usually requires treatment, which can include counseling, medication, or both.
One way to raise a red flag about postpartum depression is to “educate all of the first-time responders that will touch a mom,” Taper said.
“In some ways it’s multi-faceted. We want to get rid of the stigma. We want our folks to know this is what I should do in this case; this is where I need to go; and this is where I need to go from here.”
Aberegg discussed risk factors. Among them are previous history of depression or bipolar disorder. But postpartum depression may also appear out of, seemingly, nowhere.
“It can be any pregnancy, any time, any age, any mom, any circumstances,” she said.
Early intervention is important. Even if an infant is a patient at a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in Allegheny County, early intervention is provided by the home county, Aberegg said.
A unique resource within Washington County is the Postpartum Depression Project, a support group that meets at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the Washington Health System’s Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, conference room A.
Kim Manfredi, one of those who helped found the group in 2016 and has become an outspoken advocate, said a recent development within her organization was the initiation of “mommy mentors” who pair with women who have severe symptoms or have experienced similar situations.
Last month, the county commissioners entered into a $15,000 contract with Michele Mapes of Mercer County for consultation services to assist with the parent-child postpartum depression program.
She has developed a time line of monthly goals through June of next year,
A “Maternal Mental Health” walk has been expanded to include a 5K race through Main Street at the Southpointe Town Center on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the start of the race at 9 a.m.
Scheduled performers are Bon Journey, Ruff Creek and Jackson Gardner.
A post-partum depression symposium geared toward professionals is scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Doubletree Hotel, 340 Racetrack Road, Washington.
The organizers are lining up presenters.
What are the more common symptoms of postpartum depression?
Feeling sad, hopeless, empty or overwhelmed
Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason
Worrying or feeling overly anxious
Feeling moody, irritable or restless
Oversleepingor being unable to sleep even when baby is asleep
Having trouble concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Experiencing anger or rage
Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable
Suffering from frequent headaches, stomach problems and muscle pain
Eating too little or too much
Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family
Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with baby
Persistently doubting one’s ability to care for baby
Thinking about harming herself or her baby
Source: National Institute of Mental Health