The costs of untreated maternal mental health conditions

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders—which can include depression, suicidal thoughts, and panic attacks—affect birthing people during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These disorders affect an estimated one in seven birthing people, and there is good reason to believe that the true number is much higher. Although these disorders are common, they often go undiagnosed and untreated, which can negatively affect the long-term physical, emotional, and developmental health of the birthing parent and child. (author introduction)