Trending #MyWishForMoms creates open dialogue about postpartum depression
Ahead of Mother’s Day, here are some statistics on a particular condition affecting mothers that will blow your mind. Postpartum depression affects nearly 20% of Indian mothers within the first 12 weeks of childbirth, while a milder form of the same, postpartum blues affects 50% to 80% of Indian women.
The numbers are no different around the world. According to a release from Allegheny Health Network (AHN), last year, more than 500,000 new moms developed postpartum depression. Only 15 percent received treatment, according to the American Psychological Association.
Model Chrissy Teigen (better half of singer John Legend) has announced that she is partnering with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and its women’s health program to launch an initiative to raise awareness for maternal mental health.
The #MyWishForMoms social cause initiative aims to create open dialogue among women about postpartum depression and anxiety.
“When I was approached with this opportunity – to help be the voice for women experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety – I thought, ‘this is perfect!’. I’m grateful to be able to use the platform that I’ve been given to reduce the stigma that many women feel when talking about these very real and treatable conditions,” said Teigen. “I wish I had known that postpartum depression can happen to anyone because I didn’t think it could happen to me. Here I was, with my perfect little Luna and a supportive husband, yet I was truly struggling,” she said in an interview.
Throughout the month, Teigen is asking moms to share what they wish they would have known about postpartum depression and anxiety on social media using the hashtag #MyWishForMoms.
The situation is more serious in India where the society lacks concern and empathy towards women who wear multiple hats, and often takes them for granted. For example, very often, there seems to be a lack of concern for a new mother while complete focus is given to the baby, forgetting that new mothers can be stressed due to the new role.
So, what is your wish for moms this Mother’s Day?
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The CSR Journal Team
