Maternal Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention
September brings increased attention to suicide prevention. For FOZA, it is also an opportunity to focus specifically on mothers experiencing postpartum depression and other perinatal mental health conditions—and to ask an important question: Where does prevention happen?

We often associate suicide prevention with moments of crisis: an emergency department, a crisis counselor, or an urgent telephone call. Those resources are essential. But prevention also occupies spaces that are far more ordinary. It can happen at home. At work. In a healthcare office. During a telehealth appointment. Within a faith community. Between friends. Sometimes, prevention simply looks like somebody who cares.

It Can Begin With Someone Paying Attention
A mother experiencing postpartum depression may not look the way others expect someone with depression to look.
She may be caring for her baby, returning telephone calls, going to work, and handling the responsibilities of everyday life.
That is why prevention should not depend on loved ones becoming detectives or identifying one particular warning sign.
Instead, we can create relationships in which honest conversations are welcome.
A coworker might notice a change and say:
“You don't seem like yourself lately. If you want to talk, I'm a good listener.”
A friend might notice that she has been withdrawing and ask:
“I haven't heard much from you lately. How have you been feeling?”
A partner might create a quiet moment and say:
“You seem quieter lately. I don't want to pressure you, but I want you to know you can talk to me about anything.”
None of these people is diagnosing her.
They're simply making room for her to speak.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline specifically encourages loved ones to check in, ask and listen, noting that mothers experiencing depression or intrusive thoughts may be reluctant to speak because of fear, stigma or shame. 988 Lifeline

​When She Tells Us, We Have to Listen
Creating a safe place to talk is important.
What happens after she talks may be even more important.
If a mother is honest and strong enough to share that she is struggling, the people who surround her and love her must take her seriously.
That doesn't mean panicking.
It doesn't mean immediately trying to solve everything.

And it doesn't mean telling her:
"Every new mother feels that way."
It means listening carefully enough to understand what she is actually saying.
Perinatal depression is a medical condition, not a measure of how much a woman loves her child or how capable she is as a mother. NIMH notes that symptoms can range from mild to severe and that treatment can include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of approaches. National Institute of Mental Health

Sometimes the most useful response may simply be:
“I'm taking you seriously. Let's figure out what kind of help you need.”
Screening Opens a Door.
​What Happens Next?
Healthcare screening creates another important space for prevention.
ACOG recommends screening for depression and anxiety at the initial prenatal visit, later in pregnancy and during postpartum visits. But its guidance goes further: screening should be accompanied by systems that provide timely assessment, treatment, monitoring, and follow-up. When someone gives an affirmative response to a self-harm or suicide question, clinicians should immediately assess the level of suicide risk and arrange appropriate management. ACOG
That leads to one of the central questions from Episode 58:

​What happened after we found out she needed help?
Was an appointment available?
Did she understand where she was being referred?
Was she able to reach the provider?
Did someone follow up?
Did treatment begin?
Did anyone check again?
A screening may identify a need.

​It is what happens afterward that connects identification with care.
Most of Life Happens Between Appointments
A mother may spend an hour with a healthcare professional.
Then she returns to the rest of her life.
That means there are many people and places that can contribute to an environment supportive of maternal mental wellness.
Partners. Friends. Family members. Coworkers. Doulas. Faith communities. Healthcare professionals. Community organizations.
They don't all serve the same role, and they shouldn't.
A friend cannot replace a therapist.
A partner shouldn't be expected to diagnose depression.
A faith leader doesn't replace medical treatment.
But together, they can form something important: a network.
The more connected her network becomes, the more opportunities there are for concerns to be heard, resources to be shared, and professional care to be encouraged

Prevention Can Continue After Help Begins
There is another space we sometimes overlook—the time after a mother begins receiving care.
Treatment doesn't mean everyone else should disappear.
A friend can still call.
A partner can still ask how she's doing.
Someone can offer transportation or childcare for an appointment.
A family member can remember to check back next week.
And a healthcare professional can monitor how treatment is working.
ACOG specifically recommends monitoring response to treatment or remission of depression and anxiety symptoms with validated screening tools. ACOG
Support doesn't have to become surveillance.
It can simply remain connection.
There Is More Than One Space Where Prevention Happens
This is the message we want to carry beyond September.
Suicide prevention does not belong to one profession, one appointment, one telephone number or one month of the year.

• It can happen in healthcare.
• It can happen at home.
• It can happen when someone speaks.
• It can happen when someone listens.
• It can happen when a screening leads to treatment.
• And it can happen when the people surrounding a mother remain connected while professional care does its work.
• No single person carries responsibility for preventing every tragedy. And families who have lost someone to suicide should never be left believing they simply failed to recognize the right sign.

Instead, we can work together, creating more opportunities ...spaces for prevention to happen.

• More conversations.
• More connections.
• More effective follow-up.
• More pathways to professional care.
• More spaces where a mother knows she can speak—and someone will take her seriously.

Creating Spaces...that's where prevention happens.

​Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Immediate Crisis Support
Call or text 988, or use online chat. Available 24/7 for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or a mental health crisis. Its website also has information specifically addressing maternal mental health. 988 Lifeline
988 Maternal Mental Health Resources
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline — 1-833-TLC-MAMA
Call or text 1-833-852-6262. This federal hotline provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for pregnant and postpartum mothers and their families. Trained counselors can listen, provide resources, and connect callers with local or telehealth providers. Maternal and Child Health Bureau
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Provides perinatal mental-health education, support groups, peer support and connections to specialized providers.
Postpartum Support International — Get Help
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Clear information about perinatal depression, including symptoms, treatment, supporting a loved one and finding professional help. National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH — Perinatal Depression
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Clinical information on screening for depression, anxiety, and suicide risk during pregnancy and postpartum, including the importance of treatment and follow-up after screening. ACOG
ACOG — Perinatal Mental Health Screening
FOZA Finder Services
For individuals who are not in an emergency but are having difficulty locating support in their area, FOZA Finder Services can assist in identifying resources by ZIP code without requiring sensitive personal information.
FOZA, Inc.
Emergency note: If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or an emotional crisis, call or text 988. National Institute of Mental Health
I particularly like this version because the blog now follows the same progression as the finished visual story: someone notices → she speaks → someone listens → screening identifies a need → care follows → the network stays connected. So the podcast, break graphics, and blog all tell the same story without simply repeating one another.

An extension of information from the Podcast: 
Life doesn’t always move forward with clarity.
Sometimes it moves forward with questions, uncertainty, and emotions that don’t yet have a name.
For many women—especially during the postpartum period—this experience is more common than we realize.

When Change Comes Without Clarity:
Becoming a mother brings significant emotional, physical, and identity changes.
While some moments are joyful, others can feel confusing or overwhelming—especially when expectations don’t match reality.

When Something Feels “Off”:
Postpartum emotional challenges, including Postpartum Depression, don’t always appear in obvious ways.
Some women may feel:

• disconnected
• uncertain
• emotionally overwhelmed
• unsure how to describe what they’re experiencing

Without clear answers, these feelings can lead to isolation.

Why Support Matters:
Support is not just helpful—it is essential.
When women are supported:

• they are more likely to seek help
• they feel less alone
• they are better able to navigate emotional challenges

And when support is missing, the effects can extend beyond the individual to families and children.

FOZA’s Perspective:
At FOZA, we believe that moving forward does not require having everything figured out.
But it does require a connection.
Through awareness, conversation, and access to resources, we aim to ensure that no woman feels she has to navigate this journey alone.

Resources:

• Postpartum Support International
  https://www.postpartum.net
  → Support, helplines, and resources for postpartum mental health
• National Institute of Mental Health
  https://www.nimh.nih.gov
  → Information on depression and maternal mental health
• Mental Health America
  https://www.mhanational.org
  → Screening tools and emotional wellness resources
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  https://www.samhsa.gov
  → National support and treatment locator

International Boost Self-Esteem Month: Confidence Without Self-Absorption
FOZA’s Perspective
At FOZA, we view self-esteem as foundational—not performative. It grows through understanding, support, and community, not comparison or perfection. If you are having trouble finding support in your area, visit this link, and we'll search within your zip code for resources that meet your needs.
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February’s focus on self-esteem offers an important opportunity—not to inflate our sense of self, but to strengthen it in healthy, grounded ways.
Linkable Resources (Credible & Accessible)

• National Institute of Mental Health – Self-esteem & mental wellness
• American Psychological Association – Self-worth, boundaries, and resilience
• Postpartum Support International – Support for parents navigating identity and self-worth
• Mental Health America – Practical tools for taking care of yourself
• VIDEO: - Psychologist Nick Wignall - 4 practical suggestions for setting healthy boundaries without guilt

What Self-Esteem Really Means
Your worth is an inherent quality based on your existence, not a reflection of your achievements, productivity, or the opinions of others. Relying on external approval creates "contingent self-worth," leading to anxiety and burnout, whereas recognizing your intrinsic value fosters emotional stability and authentic living. 
 
Key aspects of separating your worth from performance:

• Intrinsic Value: You are worthy simply by being, regardless of what you do or accomplish.
• Approval is Temporary: Seeking validation from others is often a never-ending cycle, as opinions change, but your internal worth is constant.
• Define Your Own Value: Shift your focus from what you own or achieve to how you treat yourself and others.
• Set Boundaries: Protect your peace by letting go of or limiting situations that cause you to question your value.
• Practice Self-Validation: Do one thing daily for yourself that requires no applause or external approval, building confidence from within. 

True self-worth is recognizing that you are enough, exactly as you are, rather than proving yourself through a performance. 
True self-esteem is not about constant confidence or external validation. It’s about self-respect, emotional awareness, and the ability to recognize our inherent worth—regardless of productivity or approval.
Why Many People Struggle With Self-Esteem
For caregivers, mothers, and those impacted by loss or mental health challenges, self-esteem often erodes quietly. It’s shaped by responsibility, expectations, and the pressure to prioritize everyone else.
Self-Esteem and Connection Can Coexist
Healthy self-esteem does not lead to isolation or self-absorption. Instead, it allows for stronger relationships, clearer boundaries, and more compassionate engagement with others.
Small Ways to Begin Rebuilding

• Practice self-talk rooted in kindness
• Acknowledge emotions without judgment
• Set boundaries that protect well-being
• Seek support without self-criticism

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Epi-52: Maternal Mental Health Is Family Health
Notes and Additional Resources
Maternal health isn’t just about pregnancy checkups or delivery outcomes. It encompasses the parents' emotional and psychological well-being, which affects the entire family.

Maternal Mental Health Matters
Stat:

• 1 in 5 U.S. women experience a maternal mental health disorder during pregnancy or up to a year after birth. Policy Resource:
• Center for Maternal Mental Health
  These conditions are common, real, and often underdiagnosed.

Screening Gaps Create Risk
Stat:

• About 1 in 5 pregnant women aren’t screened for depression during prenatal care, and about 1 in 8 aren’t screened after birth. 
• Routine screening misses opportunities for early support.

Resource: 
CDC

Maternal Suicide: A Maternal Health Outcome
Stat:

• Up to 20% of postpartum maternal deaths are due to suicide — a leading cause among preventable pregnancy-associated deaths.  

Resource:
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

The Impact on Children: When Maternal Depression Goes Undetected
Persistent maternal depressive symptoms do not always end after the early postpartum weeks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depressive symptoms can continue well into the first year after birth—and in many cases, they go undetected or untreated.
When this happens, the effects extend beyond the mother.

Infants and young children are deeply attuned to their caregiver’s emotional availability. When a mother is struggling silently, children may experience changes they cannot name or understand—less eye contact, reduced responsiveness, emotional withdrawal, or unpredictable moods. These early disruptions can shape how a child learns to regulate emotions, form secure attachments, and interpret the world around them.

As children grow, the impact often evolves.
Some may develop anxiety or depressive symptoms of their own.
Others struggle with attention, behavior, or social connection.
Many internalize a sense of responsibility—believing, quietly and incorrectly, that they are the cause of their parent’s distress.

When maternal mental health challenges escalate without adequate support, the consequences can become even more profound. In cases where depression contributes to maternal suicide, children are left navigating grief layered with confusion, stigma, and unanswered questions. Too often, their loss is minimized or avoided altogether—leaving them without language, validation, or long-term support.
Resource:
CDC

At FOZA, we believe children should not have to grow up carrying silent grief.
Acknowledging the ongoing nature of maternal mental health challenges—and their impact on children—is a critical step toward prevention, compassion, and healing. True maternal health awareness must include not only early screening, but sustained support for families and intentional care for the children who are affected when that support is missing.
Because when mothers struggle in silence, children feel it.

When children are supported, cycles of harm can be interrupted.

​FOZA Podcast Epi-50 - The Giving Season:  Finding Balance in Gratitude
Aligning with the podcast, here is a list of practical practices to help you stay on track with practicing gratitude, as well as facing life’s real challenges.
 
Sincere Gratitude Statements -vs- Toxic Positivity Statements
Here are some clear and helpful choices between sincere gratitude statements and toxic positivity statements. Toxic positivity statements can often invalidate the real emotions of a loved one.
🌿 Sincere Gratitude Statements (Supportive & Grounded)

1. “I’m grateful for your presence, even on the hard days.”
2. “Thank you for showing up, in whatever way you can today.”
3. “I appreciate what my body has carried me through, even when it feels heavy.”
4. “I’m thankful for small wins — they mean just as much on difficult days.”
5. “I’m grateful for the people in my life who let me be honest about how I’m really feeling.”
6. “I don’t feel okay today, but I’m thankful I have the space to say that out loud.”

 
🚫Toxic Positivity Statements (Dismissive or Minimizing)

1. “You should just focus on the good — everything happens for a reason!”
2. “It could be worse — you’re lucky compared to some people.”
3. “Stop worrying so much, you just need to stay positive!”
4. “If you're grateful enough, you won't feel depressed.”
5. “Don’t talk about the hard stuff — just be thankful and move on.”
6. “Everything will be fine — just smile and keep going.”

_______________________________________
The Science of Gratitude
Here are some gratitude practices that can reduce cortisol, improve sleep, and lift mood (Harvard Health, NIH studies).

• Simple daily practices:
  • Create a 3-item gratitude list before bed.
  • Say “thank you” out loud for small wins.
  • Reflect with family or partners about one positive moment each day.

​4. Permit Yourself to Feel
Understand that gratitude and grief can coexist. You don’t have to hide your feeling, and at the same time you don’t have to be consumed by negative thoughts. If this is a struggle, then it’s time to seek help.
 “Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring the storm; it means noticing the rainbows between the clouds.”

• Practice journaling, prayer, or quiet time — not to “fix” feelings but to listen to them and be able to share with your therapist or medical team.

________________________________________
5. Put Practical Gratitude in Action

• Examples:
  • Write thank-you cards to those who supported you. In the past
  • Cook a meal for someone who may need a lift up.
  • Donate to a cause (like FOZA’s scholarship) or your favorite charity.
  • Create a “gratitude jar” as a family ritual.

___________________________________________
 
6. Community and Connection

• Remember, connection is a powerful form of gratitude. Find ways to connect in safe and productive ways.
• Share stories of small acts of kindness within the FOZA community or within the networks that you trust.
• Use your connections to learn about upcoming events or volunteer opportunities and share what you know with others.

Send us your thoughts, ideas, comments and stories:
[email protected]

​Quiet Strength: Men, Emotions, and Maternal Mental Health
When we talk about maternal mental health, it’s easy to picture only moms at the center of the conversation. But fathers, partners, and male role models carry their own emotional weight — often in silence. And that silence matters. It affects them, their families, and the mothers they’re trying so hard to support.

In Podcast Episode 49 of the FOZA Podcast, Quiet Strength: Men, Emotions, and MMH, we take a closer look at the struggles men face, why their mental health is vital to maternal wellness, and what we can do to create a culture where they feel safe to speak up.
Why Men’s Mental Health Matters for Moms

• Impact on mothers: Studies show that when fathers experience depression or anxiety, the risk of postpartum depression in mothers rises significantly (by nearly 47%).
• Silent expectations: Men are often told to “be strong” or “man up,” which makes it harder for them to express their fears or ask for help.
• Ripple effect: A father’s mental wellness influences how supported and secure a new mother feels — which in turn affects bonding, recovery, and family stability.

​Access to quality maternal mental health services is about more than just availability—it’s about planning, affordability, understanding, compassion, and confidence that when the proper support systems are put into place, families thrive, and communities grow stronger.

As promised in our FOZA Podcast Ep1 48 - Here is a downloadable outline to build a plan for better access. It's not an overnight call-to-action; however, it has been reported that 1 in 5 mothers experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder or episode. Last year, more than 3 million births in the US meant more than 150K mothers faced challenges postpartum, but regrettably, more than half didn’t receive the care they needed.

Creating and following a plan means decreasing the devastating numbers of loss and increasing the reality of moms getting the services they need and deserve. Download the outline today. Use it for yourself or share it with someone who can use it. 

Did you know that the FOZA Educational Scholarship is open now — but only until December 31, 2025?
If you know a student who has lost their mother due to postpartum depression-related suicide and is preparing to enter college or trade school, this scholarship was created for them.

​FOZA’s mission is to support the children left behind while raising awareness about maternal mental wellness.
Learn more, review eligibility, and apply today at FOZAInc.org/scholarships.
Together, we can honor their mothers’ memories and help build brighter futures.

As promised...here are links to the resources mentioned in our podcast, Epi-47 
The Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Family Dynamics
​

Postpartum Depression and Bonding Difficulties: Different but Interrelated Problems
 The mother’s feelings about her baby, described as bonding, typically grow and intensify after the baby’s birth and become the foundation of the mother’s relationship with her child.​

 Men and Postnatal Mental Illness
 Over the past few years, there has been an increase in awareness about maternal mental illnesses, including postnatal depression, postpartum psychosis, maternal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following birth trauma.​

Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling
How to help kids feel positive about the new baby and avoid problem behaviors

New Parents Setting New Baby Boundaries
​Learning how to be a new parent means setting family boundaries that might disappoint loved ones.

Although most of us—men and women alike—are socialized to think of men as providers of support during the perinatal period and early parenthood, a wealth of research shows that 10% of new dads experience paternal postpartum depression (50% when mom is depressed) and need support of their own.
​However, the stigma against experiencing difficulties in early parenthood is even higher for men than for women. Society views men as stoic, self-sacrificing, and above all, strong. When men feel none of those things as new fathers, they often don’t want to admit it or seek help.
For this reason, Postpartum Support International is an enthusiastic supporter of International Fathers' Mental Health Day as a means to take a whole-family, father-inclusive approach by shedding light on the best practices and related resources for dads, their partners, and those who support them.  Read More

Postpartum Support International offers free services and resources for dads, including:

• The toll-free HelpLine provides support, resources, and basic information. HelpLine calls and texts are returned every day of the week by trained and caring volunteers.
• The Dads Support Group is a free, virtual, peer support group where dads can connect with other dads who have newborns up to toddlers. In addition to sharing experiences, dads will learn about helpful tools and resources and realize they are not alone.
• Specialized Coordinators are volunteers with personal experience with the challenges of living with a perinatal mental health condition while being a dad. These volunteers provide other fathers the opportunity to connect with someone who understands what it is like and share resources.
• The Peer Mentor Program pairs dads in need of support with a trained volunteer who has also experienced and fully recovered from a perinatal mental health disorder. This one-to-one connection offers invaluable insight, encouragement, and hope.
• A closed Facebook group for dads, where members can access great support and information from other dads.
• Chat with an Expert is a free, live phone session for dads on the first Tuesday of each month. The calls provide reliable information, support, and resources. Dads can find answers and support from an expert and other dads.

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(1) delegating tasks and responsibilities to people in your support system, 
(2) prioritizing a moment of self-care everyday, and 
(3) practicing deep breathing techniques when you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. ​