During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of mental health for mothers has become increasingly evident. Pregnancy may heighten the risk of depression or anxiety, especially after childbirth. Studies have shown that the prevalence of depression and anxiety has
increased since the pandemic’s onset, with public health guidelines mandating social distancing leading to the redistribution of healthcare services in elective regions, such as antenatal care.

Impact of Pandemic on Pregnancy Experiences

Restrictions on the presence of non-medical personnel before, at, and after delivery led to increased stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with care for mothers. Emotional risk factors could underlie the observed increase in rates of depression, stress, and anxiety seen worldwide in pregnancy, as well as the rates of preterm labor, childbirth-related trauma, and reduced bonding between the mother and infant. A qualitative study explored the impact of the pandemic on American pregnancy experiences, finding two cardinal themes and eight subthemes related to knowledge about COVID-19 and the impacts of COVID-19 on mothers’ experiences.

Addressing Mental Health Issues and Advocacy

Many mothers did not know much about the vaccines or the effects of being exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy. The risk of exposure to COVID-19 led to significant anxiety about becoming sick, having to be put on a ventilator, and dying. Mothers generally felt that they were not supported by people who would otherwise have been expected to provide such bolsters because of the pandemic and the restrictions in place. The Salvation Army leaders advocate for mental health policy changes at the Arkansas Capitol, addressing the mental health issues that are pervasive in their service areas and the desire to help improve systems that were allowing people to slip through the cracks.

Child Abuse Prevention and Family Support

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and child abuse and neglect can have long-lasting effects on individuals. The 2021 Child Maltreatment Report shows that 8 per 1,000 children were victimized by abuse and neglect in 2021. Domestic violence and drug abuse are the highest risk factors for child abuse and neglect. Protective factors for children include nurturing and attachment, knowledge of parenting and child development, parental resilience, social connections, concrete supports for parents, and social and emotional competence of children. Family Recovery Center offers counseling services for individuals who need someone to talk to about their experiences.

The Power of Forgiveness in Mental Health

A new study shows that forgiveness is good for mental health. Psychologist Everett Worthington has found that a secular approach to forgiveness can be a useful strategy for improving health. Worthington developed workbooks and included exercises and prompts that allow people to explore feelings of anger and resentment and learn to let go of them. The latest version of the workbook is free to download in five languages and promises that you can become a more forgiving person in about two hours. The randomized study, conducted among 4,598 participants in five countries, showed that the workbook had promoted forgiveness and showed a statistically meaningful reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms among users compared with the control group. The findings have broad implications for public health, and if the resource is widely disseminated, the effects on the population’s mental health could be substantial.