Allegheny Health Network, First Steps and Beyond Host New Moms at Maternal Mental Wellness Event

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Press Releases West Penn Hospital

PITTSBURGH - First Steps and Beyond (FSB), an organization established by Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) to reduce Black infant mortality, improve maternal health outcomes and lower preterm birth rates, welcomed more than a dozen attendees at AHN West Penn Hospital for a Maternal Mental Wellness event.

The event, hosted in close partnership with AHN Women's Behavioral Health program (WBH), a division of the AHN Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute, brought together expectant and new mothers and birthing people to discuss the unique challenges of the fourth trimester and learn strategies for managing stress and prioritizing mental and physical health.

Attendees on Saturday also participated in yoga, sound bathing, a healthy food demonstration, and a goal-setting workshop.

"Saturday's event provided a safe and supportive space for mothers and birthing people to connect with one another and share lived, uniquely challenging experiences that come with being a parent," said Takiyah Durham, MBA, CCHW, Director of First Steps and Beyond. "On behalf of our entire organization, it's an absolute privilege to meet with them, hear their stories and equip them with useful resources and support systems that may help them better navigate their journeys as parents to their beautiful little ones."

The day concluded with a session led by Ewurama Sackey, MD, AHN Director of Maternal-Infant Mental Health, in which she provided valuable information on postpartum depression and its impact on mothers.

Dr. Sackey shared her expertise on postpartum depression, focusing on its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. The session highlighted the disproportionate impact of postpartum depression on Black mothers and birthing people, emphasizing their higher risk of experiencing Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and lower rates of receiving treatment.

Participants also engaged in a lively discussion about the importance of family support in identifying and addressing postpartum depression, particularly during the crucial period of hormonal shifts.

"Postpartum depression affects roughly one in seven women and for half of those diagnosed, it's their first time they are experiencing depression and its associated symptoms," explained Dr. Sackey. "Feelings of sadness, anxiety and tiredness can be debilitating in some cases and make it hard for a new mom or birthing person to take care of themselves and their loved ones. That's why it's so important that moms and their support networks know the risk factors and symptoms of postpartum depression so that they can get help as soon as possible."

AHN Women's Behavioral Health provides comprehensive mental health services to women and birthing people before, during and after pregnancy. Led by Dr. Sackey, the clinical team offers a variety of intensive outpatient programs, individual and group therapy as well as medication management.

AHN is one of the few hospitals in the country to offer intensive mother-baby outpatient treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Since launching in 2018, the WBH program has helped over 15,000 women experiencing mental health disorders during and after pregnancy.

Saturday's Maternal Mental Wellness event was the second in a series hosted by FSB geared toward wellness and self-care for new mothers and birthing people. In August, the organization teamed up with Glimmer of Hope to provide health screenings, massages, facials and manicures to more than 20 new moms at Allegheny General Hospital.

To learn more about the Women's Behavioral Health program, visit ahn.org. To learn more about First Steps and Beyond, go to firststepsandbeyond.org.

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