Adequate Support: Key to Addressing Perinatal Mental Health

The Surgeon General’s recent report and a CDC study highlight a growing crisis of parental loneliness. A staggering 65 percent of parents report feeling alone, with that number soaring to 77 percent for single parents. This loneliness, coupled with the overwhelming demands of caregiving, significantly increases the risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) like postpartum depression and anxiety.

This crisis highlights the need for stronger support systems for not only parents but everyone involved in the perinatal process, including healthcare providers. Parents need not only the support of their partners and families but also consistent, compassionate support from their medical teams. However, the individuals most needed to support parents—partners, family members, and healthcare providers—often lack the resources, time, or knowledge to provide adequate help.

Our research underscores the need to provide supports for individuals within parents’ networks to help reduce the risk of developing a PMAD.

The Protective Power of Support

In our recent study of over 1,000 birthing parents, we examined how social support—whether from partners, family, or healthcare providers—impacts the development of PMADs. The findings were striking, and all pointed to the protective nature of support:

• Partner Support: Among those with a supportive partner, only 3 in 10 experienced a PMAD, compared to 7 in 10 without such support.
• Parental Support: When a supportive parent (e.g., their own mother or father) was present, only 4 in 10 birthing parents reported experiencing a PMAD. If they did not have a supportive parent, this jumped to 6 in 10 experiencing a PMAD.
• Healthcare Provider Support: Support from obstetricians (OBs) was equally vital. Only 3 in 10 birthing parents with a supportive OB experienced a PMAD, compared to 7 in 10 without such support.

Our findings reveal the immense protective power of support systems during the perinatal period. Yet, they also expose a troubling reality: Many parents lack the support they desperately need.

But Where Is It?

Our research uncovered significant gaps between the support birthing parents need and the support they receive:

• 27 percent wanted more support from their partners.
• 63 percent wished for greater support from their own parents.
• 27 percent wanted more support from their OBs.

As one participant shared: “I wish my doctor had been more available to me. I was so busy trying to learn everything about having a baby I wasn’t paying attention to my body at all.”

Another echoed this need for deeper medical engagement: “Follow-up visits with my OB that lasted more than five minutes would have made a world of difference.” (Unfortunately, this is a more common sentiment than not. Overall, OBs typically can only spend 15 minutes with families during the first follow-up visit).

What Can We Do?

What can we do to better support parents and tackle the parental mental health crisis? Our findings point to three urgent priorities:

1. Increase Awareness and Education

• Destigmatize PMADs by fostering open conversations about mental health during the perinatal period. One of the most concerning findings from our study was the prevalence of fear and stigma. Over half (57 percent) of birthing parents reported feeling scared to share their feelings with their OB. Nearly half (46 percent) felt similarly about discussing their struggles with their partners. This silence exacerbates the isolation and loneliness that contribute to PMADs.
• Provide educational resources to parents, families, and communities about the signs and risks of PMADs.

2. Empower Healthcare Providers

• Equip OBs and other healthcare professionals with the tools to effectively screen, identify, and manage PMADs.
• Advocate for longer postpartum appointments, allowing for meaningful discussions about mental health.

3. Strengthen Partner and Family Support

• Encourage partners and family members to actively participate in prenatal and postpartum care.
• Offer training on how to recognize PMAD symptoms and provide effective emotional and practical support.

By fostering open communication, equipping healthcare providers, and strengthening support systems, we can build a safer, more supportive environment for all. Addressing these barriers isn’t just about improving individual well-being—it’s about safeguarding the mental health of families and communities as a whole.