Key Takeaways Key Takeaways

  • One in seven new moms is affected by postpartum depression, but up to 50 percent of those women remain undiagnosed.

  • Community support is vital for new parents affected by postpartum depression, including online support groups.

  • Many treatment options for postpartum depression are available, including Zurzuvae®, a relatively new oral medication that is taken for just two weeks and aims to improve symptoms much faster than other antidepressants.

3 Things to Know About Maternal Mental Health

Postpartum Depression Goes Untreated Too Often

This content has been updated from previous article on October 30, 2023.

800,000 new mothers are affected by a maternal mental health disorder each year in the United States. One in seven new moms is affected, but up to 50 percent of those women go undiagnosed. Untreated maternal mental health disorders impact the mother, baby, family, and society as a whole and contribute to the incredibly high rate of suicide and overdose in postpartum moms.

Aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic and Postpartum Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of mental health disorders in pregnant women and postpartum moms. Social isolation and lack of access to support, as well as financial and relationship stress, has caused the rates of maternal mental health disorders to triple.

According to a study published in 2022, one in three new mothers during the early part of the pandemic screened positive for postpartum depression. This is nearly three times pre-pandemic levels, which were around one in seven.

Anxiety is already common in pregnant women and postpartum moms, but the fears of COVID-19 exposure and limited access to family support due to social distancing requirements during the pandemic amplified symptoms and prevented these women from accessing treatment.

LifeStance Health is a national leader in mental, behavioral, and emotional wellness with multiple locations in 33 states. Services vary by location.

Find a provider near you:

The Importance of Community

While awareness campaigns have helped to decrease stigma related to mental illness, it’s still hard for new moms to reach out for help. As women, we tend to see ourselves as the ones who do the caretaking in our families, and that can make it hard to seek help from others when we are the ones in need of caretaking.

We typically find that moms who do get help feel a huge sense of relief and are surprised by the level of support from others. In fact, after recovering from a maternal mental health disorder, many women find the strength to not only share their story with others but to be a resource for other women in need of support and encouragement to seek treatment.

For new moms with mild depression or anxiety, there are online support groups, help hotlines, and increased access to telepsychiatry and teletherapy services. For a mom with a new baby at home, virtual therapy appointments are a convenient way to access treatment without having to arrange for childcare or bring the baby to a doctor or therapist’s office.

Treatment Options for Postpartum Mental Illness

New mothers experiencing Postpartum Depression can seek several treatment options that are available. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits will be recommended, including avoiding alcohol intake and getting more rest. PPD medications such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers may be offered if required. In addition, these therapy PPD treatment options may be considered:

A relatively new oral medication called Zurzuvae® is now heralded by many as a breakthrough in postpartum depression treatment. Zurzuvae® (zuranolone) offers a unique mechanism of action, aimed at providing faster relief from postpartum depression symptoms by targeting specific neuroreceptors. Its aims, which include rapid onset and fewer side effects, provide hope for new mothers seeking swift and efficient recovery, potentially revolutionizing postpartum depression treatment.

Zurzuvae® (zuranolone), is a once-daily oral medication taken for just two weeks and aims to improve symptoms much faster than other antidepressants.

Find a provider if you’d like to learn more about Zurzuvae® (zuranolone) or would like to discuss any other maternal mental health matters.

References

  1. About Maternal Mental Health Disorders (n.d.), Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. https://policycentermmh.org/mmh-disorders/

  2. Carlson K, Mughal S, Azhar Y, et al. Postpartum Depression. [Updated 2024 Aug 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519070/

  3. Shuman, C.J., Peahl, A.F., Pareddy, N. et al. Postpartum depression and associated risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Res Notes 15, 102 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-05991-8

Authored By 

Dr Rachel J Dalthorp, MD
Head of Specialty Services

Dr. Dalthorp is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. She is a former member of the board of directors for the American Association of Ketamine Physicians and founding board member of the nonprofit International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry. She currently serves as Secretary and member of the Executive Council, CME, and DEI committees of the Oklahoma Psychiatric Physicians Association.

Reviewed By

Nicholette Leanza, MA, LPCC-S

Nicholette is a faculty member at John Carroll University’s Clinical Counseling program, and she is also the host of the LifeStance podcast, Convos from the Couch.