Maternal Mental Health Conference 2024: A Crucial Step Towards Awareness
The second annual Maternal Mental Health Conference, held at the University of Saint Francis on Wednesday, served as a pivotal moment in raising awareness for maternal mental health worldwide. Coinciding with World Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day, the conference was a collaborative effort between Mission: Motherhood and the University of Saint Francis Center for Integrated Public Health Education and Research.
Mission: Motherhood’s Mission
Mission: Motherhood, a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming the discourse surrounding perinatal mental health, spearheaded the event. With a mission to illuminate the realities of Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), affecting a staggering 20% of women during the first year postpartum, Mission: Motherhood sheds light on the distressing emotions often overlooked in maternal healthcare.
Addressing the Gaps in Mental Health Services
Central to Mission: Motherhood’s agenda is the acknowledgment of the dearth in perinatal mental health services, particularly in northeast Indiana. The organization confronts the pervasive stigma surrounding maternal mental health and substance use disorder, striving to create safe spaces where mothers feel empowered to seek support without fear of judgment.
Empowering Mothers Through Shared Experience
Founder Jennifer Norris-Hale, a vocal advocate for maternal mental health, draws from her personal journey with postpartum depression, which she bravely disclosed five years ago. Today, Norris-Hale stands as a beacon of hope, leveraging her own experiences to uplift and empower other mothers navigating similar challenges.
In essence, the Maternal Mental Health Conference of 2024 serves as a cornerstone in fostering understanding, empathy, and actionable change in the realm of maternal mental health, ensuring no mother feels alone in her journey towards wellness.
