Navigating Maternal Depression
Smart Start strives to advance child health by working with providers, health departments, families, and communities to improve the health and safety for young children. Because a mother and her child’s health are linked, helping a mother navigate existing supportive services supports the health of both her and her child.
According to the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ), “Depression is a common disorder that many mothers face. Having depression can make it much more difficult for a mother to care for herself and her child. That’s why it is so important to help mothers find out if they have depression and get help to heal. Helping a mother heal is better for her and better for her child’s physical, emotional and social development.” Read more about maternal depression and the steps family advocates can take to help mothers and babies thrive.
