Despite growing awareness and efforts to destigmatize postpartum mental health, many new mothers continue to face significant barriers to accessing the care they need. A shortage of affordable mental health services, insufficient insurance coverage, and lack of resources contribute to the ongoing crisis affecting one in eight new mothers in the U.S., who suffer from postpartum depression, according to the CDC.
Katherine Schiefer, a 35-year-old lawyer, is one of those mothers. After the birth of her second child, Owen, Schiefer was diagnosed with postpartum depression following a troubling experience where she had thoughts of not wanting to “be here.” “I love my kids, and I want to be here for them, so having thoughts like that were alarming,” Schiefer recalls. It was only after her husband encouraged her to seek help that she began her journey toward recovery.
Sadly, Schiefer’s experience is far from unique. Approximately three-quarters of mothers with postpartum depression remain undiagnosed or untreated, highlighting a pressing gap in mental healthcare for new mothers. Dr. Sarah Oreck, a reproductive psychiatrist, notes that the current healthcare system often falls short of addressing the needs of postpartum women, pointing to inadequate insurance coverage for mental health services. “Reimbursement for mental healthcare in this country is abysmal. Many healthcare providers work out of network, leaving countless women without access to care,” Dr. Oreck explains.
For many mothers, the financial burden of seeking help is a significant obstacle. Dalindra Buys, a former social worker who was also diagnosed with postpartum depression, shares her frustration over the lack of affordable services. After her son, Cassius, was born prematurely at just 26 weeks, Buys struggled with feelings of guilt and the pressure to be “perfect.” She wanted to visit the Fourth Tri Sanctuary, a facility that provides postpartum support such as baby care, yoga, and mental health counseling, but couldn’t afford the cost.
Fortunately, some resources are stepping in to fill the gap. The Fourth Tri Sanctuary, based outside of Detroit, offers support to mothers like Buys by providing care, wellness classes, and mental health services. While some of the care is free, many mothers are still forced to pay out-of-pocket, which remains a significant financial burden.
While the conversation around postpartum depression is becoming louder, with more women speaking out about their struggles, experts agree that more needs to be done to ensure that every new mother has access to affordable, quality mental health care. “Other moms have come up to me and whispered to me, ‘It does get better,'” says Schiefer, echoing a sentiment of hope shared by many.
As the stigma around postpartum depression continues to dissolve, experts urge lawmakers and healthcare providers to take action to make mental health services more accessible for mothers in need. Until then, many mothers like Schiefer and Buys will continue to fight for the care they deserve.
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