In Case You Haven't Heard…

A new national campaign is shining a spotlight on maternal mental health and the challenges many women face during pregnancy and early motherhood. The nonprofit organization Ad Council's “What's Her Secret?” campaign aims to raise awareness of depression, anxiety and other maternal mental health conditions while encouraging women to seek support, Atlanta's WSB‐TV reported Oct. 12. According to the campaign, one in five U.S. mothers experience symptoms of depression or anxiety, yet most go undiagnosed or untreated. The campaign's message, “There is no secret to motherhood, there are only secrets we're keeping about it,” seeks to reduce stigma and encourage honest conversations about maternal mental health. Minority mothers are disproportionately affected, with Black and Latina mothers facing higher rates of postpartum depression and additional barriers to care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies maternal mental health conditions as the leading cause of pregnancy‐related deaths.