How can mental wellness affect your health?

An important part of your health is emotional and mental wellness. If you are feeling sad, depressed, anxious, or have a lot of stress, this can affect your health. It is important for all women to take care of their mental health. Also, if you get pregnant, depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns can affect your health during and after pregnancy. If you already have children, your mental health also affects the health of your family. This is why it is important for all women to receive help for any mental health problems, especially before you become pregnant.

How can mental wellness affect pregnancy?

Women with poor mental health before pregnancy, such as depression, are more likely to experience depression after pregnancy, called post-partum depression. Mothers with post-partum depression can have difficulty bonding with their child. Anxiety can also make it difficult to bond with a child. The bonding between a mother and child is very important for a child’s health. Children of women with postpartum depression are more likely to have health and developmental problems. Depression during pregnancy also increases the risk of the baby being born too small or too early. That’s why it’s important to get help now, before you get pregnant.

Where can you find help?

If you have feelings of depression, anxiety or have any other mental health problems, it is important to get help. There is treatment and support available to help you improve your mental health. 

• Talk to your doctor or other health care professional for resources that can help.
• You can find local resources at here. You can also call the National Institute of Mental Health toll free at 1-866-615-6464. Click for a list of local county mental health 24-hour crisis intervention numbers.    
• If you need to talk to someone immediately, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can call this number for any of these reasons:
  • Call to speak with someone who cares
  • Call if you feel you might be in danger of hurting yourself
  • Call to find referrals to mental health services in your area
  • Call to speak to a crisis worker about someone you're concerned about