By Kristina Dulaney, Founding father of Cherished Mother
After I started my advocacy journey in maternal psychological well being, one fact stood out and have become inconceivable to disregard: maternal suicide is a number one reason behind demise within the first yr after a child is born. Regardless of this heartbreaking reality, it was not often mentioned, typically ignored, and too typically shrouded in stigma and silence.
That silence is what led to the creation of Maternal Suicide Consciousness Month, Week, and Day—devoted instances to make clear the moms we’ve misplaced, assist the households affected, and rally across the pressing want for change.
The Origins of Maternal Suicide Consciousness
In 2015, I skilled postpartum psychosis after I was 5 ½ months postpartum. Within the depths of that sickness, I got here dangerously near dropping my life. Surviving that season modified me ceaselessly—it opened my eyes to the terrifying actuality that too many moms don’t make it by way of.
Within the years that adopted, I based Cherished Mom and started connecting with households who had misplaced family members to maternal suicide. Every story carried the identical weight: these have been preventable tragedies.
It was throughout conversations with Pleasure Burkhard of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (previously 2020 Mother) that the thought for a coordinated consciousness effort actually started to take form. Collectively, we envisioned a technique to convey maternal suicide into the nationwide dialog and honor the lives misplaced.
That very same yr, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (then 2020 Mother) launched the U.S. Maternal Suicide Consciousness Week in 2018. Maternal Suicide Consciousness Month, Week, and Day have been all established collectively—with September designated because the official month, and a devoted week and day put aside inside it. The purpose was easy however pressing: to coach, bear in mind, and act.
- Maternal Suicide Consciousness Month: A time for ongoing training, remembrance, and advocacy all through September.
- Maternal Suicide Consciousness Week: Per week of concentrated consciousness and storytelling, participating communities, healthcare suppliers, and advocates.
- Maternal Suicide Consciousness Day: A selected day of remembrance and motion, honoring lives misplaced and calling consideration to the necessity for systemic change.
Collectively, these observances created the primary coordinated nationwide platform to acknowledge maternal suicide, a step ahead in breaking the silence round this devastating disaster. In 2024, the memorial wall and social media consciousness marketing campaign have been formally handed over to Cherished Mother.
Maternal Suicide Memorial Wall
In September 2024, in the course of the launch of the Is MOM ok? Campaign, the Coverage Middle entrusted Cherished Mother with the Maternal Suicide Memorial Wall—a strong digital tribute to the moms we’ve misplaced. This memorial continues to face as each a remembrance and a name to motion, guaranteeing that the voices and tales of moms are by no means forgotten.
The Is MOM okay? Marketing campaign
From this motion got here the Is MOM ok? Campaign—a easy however highly effective query that may change (and even save) a life.
The marketing campaign was designed to spark conversations, open doorways for honesty, and remind us that behind each smile or social media put up, a mom could also be struggling in silence. By sporting the phrases, sharing the message, or asking the query, we break down stigma and create a tradition the place mothers really feel protected to say, “Truly, I’m not okay.”
As a part of the marketing campaign, we are going to maintain butterfly release ceremonies to honor the lives of moms misplaced to maternal suicide. Every butterfly represents a life remembered, a household ceaselessly modified, and our collective dedication to making sure no mom is forgotten.
By way of t-shirts, social media campaigns, and grassroots advocacy, Is MOM okay? has grown right into a recognizable name for compassion and consciousness. It’s not only a slogan—it’s a lifeline.
Why It Issues
Each mom misplaced to suicide leaves behind grieving youngsters, households, and communities. Every loss reminds us of the gaps in our healthcare methods, the shortage of assets, and the pressing want for training and assist round maternal psychological well being.
However it additionally reminds us that we will do higher.
- By normalizing conversations about maternal psychological well being.
- By coaching suppliers to display screen and assist new mother and father.
- By listening with out judgment when a mother bravely shares her wrestle.
Collectively, we will construct a future the place no mom feels alone, and no household endures the ache of dropping a mother to suicide.
Honoring the Households Behind the Memorial
The Maternal Suicide Memorial Wall isn’t just a set of names and images—it’s a dwelling, respiration tribute created by way of the braveness and love of households who selected to share their moms’ tales.
To each household who has entrusted us with their beloved one’s reminiscence: we see you, we honor you, and we maintain your tales with deep respect. By sharing these tales, you’ve given the world an opportunity to recollect not simply the tragedy of loss, however the magnificence, power, and love of the ladies behind every title.
Your bravery ensures that their legacies reside on—not solely as a reminder of what we’ve misplaced, however as a catalyst for change.
Be part of Us within the Motion
This September, and each September, we bear in mind the moms we’ve misplaced and recommit to saving lives. You may be part of us by:
- Carrying or sharing the is MOM okay? marketing campaign.
- Visiting and honoring moms on the Maternal Suicide Memorial Wall.
- Sharing instructional assets throughout Maternal Suicide Consciousness Month, Week, and Day.
- Checking in on the mothers in your life—not simply as soon as, however often.
- As a result of generally essentially the most highly effective factor we will do is ask, “is MOM okay?”+
In regards to the Creator
Kristina Dulaney
Kristina Dulaney turned her lived expertise with postpartum psychosis right into a lifelong mission to enhance perinatal psychological well being. She is the founder and Government Director of Cherished Mom, creator of Postpartum Psychosis Consciousness Day, and a member of the Nationwide Maternal Psychological Well being Activity Pressure. In 2023, she shared her story on Dr. Phil, bringing nationwide consideration to maternal psychological well being.
Her advocacy has earned nationwide recognition, together with being named a Maternal Psychological Well being Hero (2024) by the Coverage Middle for Maternal Psychological Well being. In September 2024, she launched the primary annual “Is MOM ok?” Maternal Suicide Consciousness Marketing campaign with Lamar Promoting.
A registered nurse, Kristina combines skilled experience with private expertise to coach suppliers, empower households, and enhance outcomes for moms. Her journey from private adversity to nationwide advocacy continues to encourage hope and drive significant change.
Discover Extra PSI Sources:
PSI’s Postpartum Psychosis Task Force
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