It is Mental Health Awareness Week from the 8th to the 14th of May.
As you know this is close to my heart. How are you looking after your mental health, the mental health foundation are asking whether you are:
They indicated several interesting statistics, did you know that:
- Approximately 68% of women and 57% of men with mental health problems are parents.
- The most common mental health problems experienced during pregnancy and after birth are anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Women experiencing maternal mental health problems:
- Postpartum psychosis: 2 per 1,000
- Serious mental ill health: 2 per 1,000
- Severe depressive illness: 30 per 1,000
- Mild-moderate depressive illness and anxiety states: 100-150 per 1,000
- PTSD: 30 per 1,000
- Adjustment disorders and distress: 150-300 per 1,000. ( taken from the Mental Health Foundation)
I was quite shocked by the statistics but if you are reading this as a parent, remain hopeful that although poor outcomes are associated with poor maternal and paternal health, this does not mean that your child will be affected. It does depend on protective factors, such as social support, temperament and other factors. There are many ways of helping your children understand their emotional health and manage stress. Do watch the mental health foundations animation video from surviving to thriving and go to their website for lots of handouts and links.
Do check out their recommended website for Maternal Health too, this is the first ever Maternal Mental health week at http://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/
For some tips to help to improve your family’s stress, do receive my free PDF at my newsletter. Take care, With Love Catherine
Add Comment