The profound and sometimes deadly impact of postpartum depression on mothers, children and their families was recently highlighted in a short series in the New York Times.
...We don’t know the early histories of the mothers whose stories were published in the Times, but we do know that many mothers, and fathers, suffered early trauma and it impacts their ability to function effectively as parents.
Fortunately, we are starting to also find out that there are solutions to these problems, and that the impact of parental depression can be ameliorated with known interventions. Rahil Briggs, PsyD, a psychologist at Montefiore Hospital in New York has conducted a large study using Healthy Steps, a program that includes a child development specialist visit as part of a well baby pediatric visit, parent groups, home visits, on site treatment at the pediatric office for maternal depression, all carried out in the first three years. Briggs’ families are from the poorest sections of New York City, young single mothers in poverty. She assesses both early adverse childhood experiences (ACES) in these mothers and depression.
Why more help is needed for depressed, postpartum parents
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