In the quiet moments of recovery from my own experience with postpartum psychosis, when I attempted to jump from moving truck, I realized the profound neglect of maternal mental health in our societal conversations. Long before the CDC began tracking maternal suicide in 2019, I was painfully aware of the silence that surrounded this critical issue. This silence has cost too many lives, lives that could have been saved with awareness, education, and open dialogue.
Today, as a nurse and the founder of Cherished Mom, I am driven by my experience, and the stories of all the mothers that did not survive to change this narrative. Our latest initiative, IsMomOK.org, is more than just a platform; it’s a lifeline. It’s a community that stands in the gap for mothers, offering support, resources, and education to prevent maternal suicide, which remains a leading cause of death in the postpartum period.
September is Suicide Awareness Month, a crucial time to shed light on the prevalence of suicide, especially among postpartum mothers.More than 20% of Maternal Deaths are due to suicide. Making it a leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women. Postpartum suicide remains a significant factor in maternal mortality, impacting women from diverse cultural backgrounds with suicidal thoughts.
Asian women are almost 9 times more likely than white women to experience suicidal thoughts during the immediate postpartum period.
Black women are twice as likely as white women to have thoughts about suicide during the immediate postpartum period.
Latina women are nearly twice as likely as white women to experience thoughts about suicide during the immediate postpartum period.
The suicide death rate among Indian women, especially during the postpartum period, is higher than the global average. The age-standardized suicide rate for Indian women is 11.1 per 100,000, which is more than double the global average of 5.4 per 100,000 for women.
Through IsMomOK.org, we aim to create a nurturing space where mothers can find not just information but real understanding and support. Our resources are designed to empower families and healthcare providers alike, equipping them with the tools needed to recognize and address perinatal mental health crises effectively.
This campaign aims to combat the stigma surrounding maternal mental health and end maternal suicide. Help is available, and two important helplines to remember are the Suicide Prevention Hotline (988) and the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA). By sharing resources and offering support, we can protect the mental health of mothers and make a difference in preventing maternal suicide.
Join us in this vital mission. Explore IsMomOK.org, share the resources, and become a part of a movement that seeks to transform the landscape of maternal mental health. Together, we can ensure that no mother has to endure what I did, and that every call for help is met with compassion and action.
As we approach our Cherished Mom Butterfly Release Memorial event, we remember those we’ve lost and renew our commitment to those still struggling. This event is not just a memorial but a call to action—a symbol of transformation and hope. We are also offering a virtual Lunch & Learn “Maternal Suicide Prevention: Awareness and Action,“ on September 30th, the last day of Maternal Suicide Awareness Month. This session is designed to engage both the public and healthcare professionals in a vital conversation about maternal mental health and suicide prevention.This event is free and open to all, aiming to empower attendees with knowledge and tools to support maternal mental health in their communities.
We are immensely grateful to our sponsors, including Lamar Advertising for its PSA Partnership and Reunion Neuroscience, whose support amplifies our efforts to save lives and nurture futures. Their commitment is a testament to the power of community and the impact of collective action.
In a world where maternal mental health is often overshadowed, let us be the bearers of light and hope. Visit IsMomOK.org and join us in saying loud and clear: “Yes, mom is OK, because we are here to ensure she is.“
