The 4Cs of Maternal Mental Wellness!

Did you know May is Maternal Mental Health Month!

Hi, I am Tiffany Conyers, Therapist to the Moms! And Mommies are My Jam! Integrating my love for God and passion for Moms has been my biggest joys. One of my biggest beliefs is that an emotionally well and whole mom leads to emotionally well and whole children. 

In May, we especially highlight the Mental Health of Mother’s all over the World! This whole month long, I, along with Mothers Assisting Mothers (MAM) Ministry of Right Direction Church International, will introduce the 4 C’s of Maternal Mental Health. I discovered these 4 C’s from treating moms in private practice and walking out my own struggles mentally after experiencing a miscarriage. Click here for a little of my story with depression and anxiety.

---

Breaking Down the 4Cs of Mental Wellness for Moms

It’s Common-  In many countries, as many as 1 in 5 new mothers experiences some type of perinatal* mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, often with tragic and long-term consequences to both mother and child. Some of these disorders include: depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and even psychosis. Many moms struggle with their new role and adjusting to the various demands on the body, mind, and schedule. You are NOT alone, mom! So many of us have been impacted by a PMAD. There is help available.... (our next C)
*perinatal is the time period that includes pregnancy and one year after birth.

---

​Counseling-  Don’t worry, when Mom is not well, there is ALL KINDS OF HELP available. One type of help is through counseling or therapy. Finding a therapist that is trained to work with women within the scope of challenges of motherhood and emotional wellness is key. To find the right maternal mental health trained provider, check out  Postpartum Support International’s extensive Provider Directory. There are trained and credentialed providers for all income brackets, ethnicities and languages and spiritual affiliations to support you in your motherhood journey. There motto is “You are Not Alone, You Are Not to Blame and With Help You Will Be Well” 

Coping- Whether it's for fertility challenges, grief, relationship issues, or day to day stresses of mothering, our coping choices have a great impact on how we recover and navigate life. Coping may look different for each mom. Some coping skills are productive and some are not so much. Adopting healthy coping skills may mean making time for counseling, getting more rest, saying “no” to extra tasks, and spending time in prayer.  It may mean asking for help or even taking medication. For more examples of healthy coping strategies, click here.​

Community- Village. Tribe. Squad...  Whatever you call it, one of the best ways to overcome anything is with others. One of the biggest traps of struggling mentally or emotionally in motherhood is isolation. I learned this the hard way.  We may withdraw and avoid others for various reasons. Maybe you don’t want to feel like a burden, or want to avoid stigma or judgment. Maybe you just don’t want anybody in “your business”. We weren’t meant to do life alone. So much of our recovery, healing and support can come from a community of mothers who have been through what you are going through. Whether it is a support group, Mothers of Preschoolers Group (MOPs), a group of moms from church like MAM, or a closed Facebook group, having community can mean the world of difference in your emotional wellbeing.

---

Special Thanks to the Mothers Assisting Mothers Ministry of Right Direction Church International. Be sure to follow them and all they are doing to serve mothers locally and virtually!
​

Follow MAM on Facebook

---

 Disclaimer:
Tiffany is one of the Volunteer Support Coordinators of Postpartum Support International (PSI) for the State of South Carolina. She is also a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional, Faculty for PSI Trainings and member of  Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color (PMHA-POC)