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Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Moms Are Experiencing a Big Mental Health Decline—Here's What Needs To Change
Fact checked by Sarah Scott The fact that motherhood can be physically and emotionally grueling is not exactly breaking news. Anyone who is raising children can tell you as much. As I sit here writing this, my two young sons are right by my side; one is rambling on and the other is asking me what he can have for a snack and what he should build with his Legos. I'm also breastfeeding a 4-month-old. So I understand many of the demands of motherhood. New research is now highlighting just how much of an impact motherhood can have on mental health. The study, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at 198, 417 female parents of kids from birth to 17 years of age, and uncovered a significant decline in mental health along with several disparities. It calls for the need of interventions that prevent, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. What's causing this decline? Experts dive into leading theories and share what they encourage struggling moms to do. The researchers—Jamie R. Daw, PhD, Colleen L. MacCallum-Bridges, PhD, and Lindsay K. Admon, MD, MSc—determined that from 2016 to 2023, moms have experienced 'meaningful declines' in their self-reported mental health. Those who would rate their mental health as 'excellent' declined from 38.4% to 25.8%. Those who would rate it as 'good" rose from 18.8% to 26.1%, while "fair/poor" mental health ratings rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. Physical health ratings also dropped, as the "excellent" category decreased from 28.0% to 23.9%. It's important to note that both mental and physical health declines were most significant among single moms and those with a lower socioeconomic status. Could the data simply be a sign that more women are finally being open about how hard it is to be a mom? It's possible, according to Jessica Vernon, MD, PMH-C, a board-certified OB-GYN, associate medical director and director of mental health at Oula, a midwifery based women's health startup in New York City, and author of Then Comes Baby. She has seen more moms seeking mental health care in her office. 'We are in a mental health crisis and the maternal mental health crisis,' Dr. Vernon affirms, adding that this is not only dire for moms, but also for the kids who are being impacted as a result. Moms are exhausted, says Mona Potter, MD, board-certified licensed child psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at InStride Health, which provides out-patient care for kids and teens with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 'More are just getting by or struggling,' she adds. Dr. Potter points to the speed and demands of modern life and post-pandemic ripple effects. But there are more causes for declining mental health among moms."We are in a mental health crisis and the maternal mental health crisis."Traditionally, child care and household duties fall squarely on mothers. While there have been strides, moms are still taking on most of this responsibility. On top of that, one report shows moms handle about 73% of all cognitive household labor too. 'The work and time spent on caring for children is undervalued and often invisible," says Dr. Vernon. "Moms often carry the stress and burden of raising children without society acknowledging how this burden affects them. It leads to burnout and mental health struggles." It can feel even more overwhelming when you're a working mom. Keep in mind, more homes require dual incomes due to the ever-rising costs of providing for a family. 'When women return to work, they still carry the majority of the burden of the home and caring for the children, increasing their stress, mental load, and burnout,' says Dr. Vernon. With issues such as inflation, climate change, and political division, Dr. Vernon talks to moms who stay up at night worrying about the state of the world and the future. Dr. Potter calls this information overload. For example, headlines about school shootings and hate crimes can cause an increase in stress for parents. From winning at work and at home, to volunteering at school, and so much more, moms feel like they have to do it all—all the time—and allow themselves very little grace along the way. 'Mothers are still expected to be the nurturing, ever-available caregivers," says Dr. Potter. "But at the same time, we're told to prioritize self-care, maintain careers, and raise independent kids.' It's exhausting! Social media and our increasingly digital existence can lead to increased loneliness, guilt, and comparisons. 'I've seen how profoundly social media has shaped not just how we parent, but how we feel about parenting," shares Dana Wogahn, LCSW at BetterHelp. "At a fundamental level, it's transformed the emotional landscape of parenthood." According to Wogahn, we've created a culture for moms where there's no winning. Breast or bottle? Homeschool, public, or private school? And then there's a scroll through social media. 'Even when parents are genuinely doing their best, it often feels like there's always someone doing it better," adds Wogahn. Hormonal fluctuations as part of menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause can impact emotional regulation, sometimes significantly, according to Dr. Potter. The postpartum period can be especially challenging for birthing parents. Previous research has found that death by suicide accounts for up to 20% of postpartum deaths. Despite mental health challenges on the rise, barriers to health care access make it difficult for many to get care. Even for those who have insurance, research shows there's often inadequate coverage, high out-of-pocket costs, and a lack of mental health professionals available. This leaves many mothers to suffer without appropriate care. The experts we spoke with want moms to know more than anything that they aren't alone. 'Mental health challenges are incredibly common among mothers,' Wogahn says. Dr. Vernon acknowledges that low-income individuals and those who are part of a marginalized group have higher rates of maternal mental health conditions—and are less likely to get the help they need. Systemic changes are crucial and needed. Moms who are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, deserve access to care. While barriers can be an issue, speaking with a trusted health care professional is critical in those cases. It's also important for moms to try and prioritize themselves. Ask for help when you need it, suggests Elisabeth LaMotte, licensed marriage and family therapist and member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). That can be from a partner, relative, close friend, or trusted neighbor. And set boundaries so that you have time for yourself. 'That might look like a weekly exercise class that's non-negotiable, a regular coffee date with friends, or even a weekend away,' LaMotte says. Engaging in low-intensity exercise, such as walking, can benefit mental health. So can limiting social media intake, and letting go of the need to be perfect all the time. 'Children don't need perfect parents," says Dr. Potter. "They need attuned, reliable, and human ones." This all is often easier said than done, but prioritizing your well-being may help to reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and burnout. 'Your mental health matters—not just because it affects your parenting, but because you matter," says Wogahn. Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
V2 Communications Starts 2025 Strong with New Clients, Team Members, and Networking Event Series
Firm adds clients across B2B, climate, and healthcare practices BOSTON, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integrated communications firm V2 Communications (V2) today announced it has expanded its client portfolio, team and offerings to kick off the new year. The firm has welcomed new clients across its B2B, climate, and healthcare practices, maintaining momentum after noteworthy 2024 wins and the unveiling of its Vantage Methodology™, which leverages deep industry expertise, accelerated impact through established processes, and an integrated communications approach to deliver results for clients. 'A hallmark of V2 is our ability to deliver results while simultaneously assessing market movements and trends to design strategic and compelling campaigns for clients,' stated Jean Serra, founder and CEO of V2 Communications. 'Our team's expertise, not only in client industries, but in the evolving world of integrated communications, enables us to be exceptional consultants and thought leadership conveners. Bringing together cohorts among our client and partner communities to share best practices and exchange ideas is the latest example of V2 bringing value to our clients, and we look forward to doing much more of this in 2025.' Continued Client Portfolio Growth The new clients joining V2's roster are brands that recognize the power of communications to increase visibility, build trust, and advance their business goals. These organizations will tap into V2's deep expertise in their respective markets and leverage communications strategies that span earned, paid and owned channels. They include: emma: emma is a platform for cloud management, combining a cloud-agnostic approach with AI-powered capabilities that empower organizations to access cloud resources by any provider without constraints. Headquartered in Luxembourg, emma has engaged V2 to build brand visibility in the U.S. and provide air cover for sales. InStride Health: InStride Health is an outpatient provider of specialty pediatric Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) care, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on Exposure therapy. InStride Health has partnered with V2 to establish the company as the trusted choice in a crowded market. Aionics: Inspired by the success of AI-driven drug discovery, Aionics created the world's first AI-powered battery design platform capable of screening all known materials and formulations for any performance target. With the mission of accelerating the development of materials for a zero-carbon world, Aionics has engaged V2 to increase brand awareness and create market momentum. Electric Hydrogen: Electric Hydrogen is a world-class manufacturer of high-power electrolyzer systems that produce the lowest cost electrolytic hydrogen. V2's work with Electric Hydrogen is centered around building visibility for the company's brand and creating confidence in their technology, as well as the broader hydrogen market, by underscoring the company's commercial and technical progress. 'Despite increased societal awareness of the pediatric mental health crisis across the United States, the lack of immediate and affordable access to mental health care that leads to lasting change remains,' said John Voith, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, InStride Health. 'We are thrilled to be partnering with V2 Communications to further advance InStride Health's mission to deliver high-quality, evidence-based specialty anxiety and OCD care that is scalable and accessible for every kid, teen, young adult, and family that needs it.' Expanded Expertise V2's entire client portfolio benefits from the team's deep expertise not only in their respective industries, but also in the best practices driving the communications and media landscape today. As part of the firm's commitment to helping brands stay ahead of the latest trends, it launched V2 Live! – a new series of exclusive events designed to gather current clients, industry experts and influencers, and other friends of the firm to share perspectives on the evolving communications landscape, keep a pulse on industry trends and foster meaningful relationships. V2 Live! kicked off with the Corporate Communicators Summit in November 2024, bringing clients from across the nation to V2 headquarters for two days of programming led by V2 subject matter experts, client leaders and outside speakers on integrated communications, executive social media strategies, influencer relations, and more. Future V2 Live! events will expand to include a Summit for chief communications officers and senior comms leaders, industry-specific roundtables, and virtual events. V2 Live! events will also bring together the firm's expansive network of clients, investors, media and influencers for networking and connection. The firm expanded its bench of senior consultants with the addition of Kaitlynn Cooney (KC) to the team. Cooney joins V2 as an Account Director focused on the B2B practice. She has more than 12 years of industry experience and currently serves as president of The PR Club, the New England-based society of communications professionals providing networking and unique education opportunities to advance careers and build brands. Cooney is amongst several new communications professionals to join the team as the firm further enhances its strategic communications offerings and client services capabilities. If you're interested in partnering with V2 or in joining our growing team, contact the firm here. About V2 Communications V2 Communications is an integrated communications firm that works with B2B, climate, and healthcare technology companies, from startups to publicly traded companies. V2's clients strive to be iconic technology brands that have an outsized impact on business, the planet, or humanity through their innovations, and V2 designs and executes integrated communications strategies across earned, owned, and paid channels that shape their markets and make them market leaders. V2's proven process ensures clients benefit from thorough program planning, increased speed, flexibility, and efficiency of program execution, and ongoing strategic counsel to maximize market shifts and refine programs to deliver consistent high levels of business success. Contact info: Deanna Hoffman dhoffman@
