Pregnancy and childbirth can bring joy and fulfillment to a woman's life. They can also bring anxiety, depression, and stress. If left untreated, postpartum depression and other mood disorders can grow severe and even fatal for both the mother and her child. The American Psychological Association estimates that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, yet the true statistic is unknown, as most women do not recognize the symptoms associated with the condition.1
According to the World Health Organization, pregnant and postpartum women experiencing severe forms of mental disorders may commit suicide.2 Perinatal mood disorders ”including postpartum depression” can affect any woman, yet women of color often face life circumstances that increase their likelihood of experiencing perinatal mood disorders.3 Studies have shown that women of color experience postpartum depression at a rate of close to 38 percent compared with approximately 13 to 19 percent for all postpartum women.4 The racial disparity is vast and mirrors major gaps in both screening and treatment for mood disorders among women.
This report touches upon mood disorders for different groups of women of color, shedding particular light on the unique experiences of black pregnant and postpartum women facing mental health issues. It also draws connections between social, economic, and political adversities and higher rates of perinatal mood disorders. The adversities discussed include lack of access to mental health services, economic insecurity, strong black woman syndrome, gender discrimination, and racism. The personal testimonies of black women affected by perinatal mood disorders can be found in text boxes throughout this report.*
Click here to read the full article published in the Center for American Progress and written by Jamila Taylor and Christy M. Gamble: Suffering in Silence
https://www.americanprogress.o...uffering-in-silence/
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