ALACHUA, Fla. - Aug. 28, 2020 -While many assume the time of pregnancy and early parenthood is only characterized by happiness and joy, untreated mental illness often lead to drug overdose and suicide which are among the top causes of death for new Moms in the first year after giving birth. Maternal deaths following birth have steadily increased in the U.S. over the most recent decades. Only recently have deaths related to substance abuse/overdose and suicide started to be recognized in an ongoing manner in Florida. Depression was identified for the first time as an underlying cause of maternal death in Florida in 2018 in the PAMR brief. The Florida Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (PAMR) Committee is tasked with conducting ongoing surveillance through data collection and examination of maternal deaths to provide information towards individual behavior changes, health care system improvements and prevention of pregnancy-related deaths.
Perinatal mental illnesses, including postpartum depression affect up to 20% of women; unrecognized and untreated, there can be devastating outcomes, including death by completion of suicide. The year 2020 presents heightened circumstances for substantial increase in factors such as isolation, lessened prenatal care, financial strain, and fear of the unknown, which all contribute to predictors of higher severity of perinatal mental illnesses.
September 7-11, 2020 is Maternal Suicide Awareness week. Better Beginnings, a mental health leader in the state of Florida, joins this effort to raise awareness led by an organization called 2020Mom. Among other outpatient services, Better Beginnings currently operates Florida's only Mother/Baby partial hospitalization (outpatient/day) program for women experiencing more severe levels of anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress symptoms. Serving Moms, babies, and families from around the state with counseling and psychiatry, Better Beginnings' Mission is to make sure no parent has to suffer with untreated mental health complications around the time of pregnancy and after delivery.
To learn more about Better Beginnings; providers, patients and families are encouraged to call Better Beginnings at (352) 462-9484 or visit https://betterbeginningsfl.com, and to learn more about Maternal Suicide Awareness week visit https://www.2020mom.org/maternal-suicide-awareness-campaign
If you would like more information, please call (352) 462-9484 or email Lauren@BetterBeginningsFL.com
Media Contact
Lauren DePaola
