continue to listen. Sometimes it’s hard to put into words what exactly it is that we’re feeling and why we’re feeling that way. So just listen. Listen as we stumble over our words and formulate our thoughts. It’s highly likely that we haven’t spent time talking about it with anyone and are still piecing together what exactly we feel. Whether you’re a friend, family member, spouse, have struggled with your mental health or not, open your ears and your heart and let this mama be vulnerable with you. You don’t have to respond; she just needs you to listen. BE OPEN AND HONEST As a mom who struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, it is so helpful to know when I’m not alone. It’s difficult to be vulnerable and talk about mental health. It’s easy to allow the negativity to take over and feel singled out in my feelings. Seeing posts on social media or hearing from friends that they struggle in similar ways helped in my healing process to know I wasn’t alone. It’s time for society to allow moms to do what they need to do to take care of themselves and their mental health. BE THERE FOR THEM I know it isn’t always feasible to be there physically. Have five minutes to send a text? Send your mama friend a text to let her know you’re thinking about her. Do you have extra funds and want to treat her to dinner? You can have dinner delivered straight to her door so she doesn’t need to worry about dinner. Not sure what you can do to help from a distance? Just ask! Saying things like “I was thinking of ordering takeout tonight. What can I order for you?” Even just asking “What is one food you’ve been craving recently?” then order her something that she mentions. Your presence doesn’t always need to be physical to make a difference. In the loneliness that is postpartum depression, or just the mental health struggle that often comes with motherhood, having someone check in can make life feel a little less lonely. continued on page 58...
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