May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, which draws attention to the unique mental health experiences many people face. While mental health affects everyone, women face specific structural and social factors that shape their mental well-being, including reproductive health changes, economic inequities, and increased exposure to certain forms of trauma. This annual health observance creates space for conversations that are often overlooked, especially around maternal mental health, postpartum depression, and the emotional transitions that accompany pregnancy and early parenting.
Women are more likely than men to experience common mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety (NIMH, 2024). Despite this, women’s mental health needs are often undiagnosed or underdiagnosed, especially when symptoms are linked to life transitions such as pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause (2024). Social expectations also play a significant role. Women are more likely to serve as primary caregivers, manage household responsibilities, and carry emotional labor for families and communities. These responsibilities can increase stress, burnout, and mental fatigue. For women navigating financial insecurity, systemic racism, or limited access to healthcare, these challenges are often intensified. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some symptoms of mental disorders in women include:
- Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
- Noticeable changes in mood, energy, or appetite
- Anger or irritability
- Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
- Substance abuse
In addition to affecting women in general, many of these symptoms overlap with those of postpartum depression.
Maternal mental health is a critical component of women’s mental health. Conditions such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and other perinatal mood disorders affect approximately 1 in 8 mothers each year, making them the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth in the United States. Despite this high prevalence, many women suffer in silence (Carberg, 2025). Research consistently shows that most women with maternal mental health conditions are never diagnosed or treated, often because of stigma, lack of screening, fear of judgment, or limited access to culturally sensitive care. Untreated maternal mental health challenges can harm a mother’s physical and emotional health, disrupt bonding, strain family relationships, and affect infant development (2025). African American women and other women of color face significantly higher rates of maternal mental health challenges and are more likely to encounter barriers to care. These challenges underscore the need for community‑based, preventive approaches that meet women where they are.
Observing May as Mental Health Awareness Month enables organizations and communities to do the following:
- Normalize conversations about mental health
- Combat stigma related to depression, anxiety, and postpartum mood disorders
- Promote early screening and help‑seeking
- Widely recognized as a public health priority
- Focus on addressing cultural barriers
The DePaul Infant Empowerment Education Program (DIEEP) is committed to supporting women, mothers, and families during key life stages, with a strong emphasis on maternal mental health and postpartum well-being. DIEEP provides education, outreach, and connections to resources that address postpartum depression and other maternal mental health concerns, while also recognizing the broader socioeconomic factors that influence women’s health. By combining mental health education with breastfeeding support, infant nutrition initiatives, and community partnerships, DIEEP takes a holistic approach centered on the health of mothers and babies. To learn more about our program and its initiatives, please visit our website at www.dieep.org.
