As many as 1 in 5 women will experience perinatal depression or anxiety – that is, depression or anxiety that starts in pregnancy or up to a year after giving birth. However, less than 15% of women will receive treatment. This can affect the whole family, not just mom. With approximately 4 million live births in the United States each year, this equates to 600,000 women experiencing problems like postpartum depression or anxiety. This number does not include women who miscarry or have stillbirths. If those numbers are included, the estimate is closer to 900,000 annually. While perinatal mental health can affect people from all backgrounds, data shows that certain factors can increase a person’s risk, including low socioeconomic status, teen parents, African American race, recent immigrant status, lack of social support, prior history of depression, and a history of sexual or physical violence. Rates as high as 25% to 50% have been recorded in these instances.
Data from Marion County, IN Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) cases from 2019 through 2023 show a high number of mothers who experience a stillbirth or the loss of their infant have some kind of mental health complication involved with their case, even before experiencing the loss. This number is higher than the overall national average for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Mental health complications were the number one complication in our FIMR cases, more common than preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, short interval pregnancy, or teen pregnancy.
| Mental Health/Stress | Percentage Seen in Fetal and Infant Loss Cases |
|---|---|
| History of Mental Illness | 42% |
| Depression/mental illness during pregnancy | 30% |
| Depression/mental illness during postpartum period | 40% |
| Multiple stresses | 47% |
The FIMR community action team at the Marion County Public Health Department has formed a parent mental health work group to discuss resources, programs, and interventions available to help families struggling with perinatal depression or anxiety. Below you can find some resources available online as well as within Marion County.
Mental Health Resources Flyer English PDF
Mental Health Resources Flyer Spanish PDF
Mental Health Resources Flyer Haitian Creole PDF
Mental Health Resources Flyer Hakha Chin PDF
Mental Health Resources Flyer Burmese PDF
Need help now?
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988, available 24/7
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Call or text 1-833-852-6262, available 24/7.
Interpreters available for 60 languages.
Eskenazi Health Crisis Line
Call 317-880-8485
Ascension St. Vincent Stress Center
Call 317-338-4800
Online Resources
Postpartum Support International
Multiple online support groups for moms and dads, including grief support. Call 1-800-944-4773 or text HELP to 800-944-4773 | Para Español, text 971-203-7773
Website: https://postpartum.net/
Maternal Mental Health NOW
A free web-based pregnancy and postpartum emotional wellness app with helpful information and resources. This website also provides an online emotional wellness self-help toolkit. —Available in English and Spanish.
Website: https://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/
Postpartum Progress
The world’s most widely read blog dedicated to maternal mental health.
Website: https://postpartumprogress.com/
The 4th Trimester Project
Expert written resources and information for mothers and their families related to postpartum and mental health.
Website in English: https://newmomhealth.com/
Website in Spanish: https://www.saludmadre.com/