Another in a series intended to showcase our advocates and team members and their story in the arena of maternal mental health care.

Bridget’s story:

EAST HAVEN, CT - As a nurse and midwife, I have been passionate about helping moms and babies for as long as I can remember. I am currently a PhD student at Yale School of Nursing with a focus on maternal mental health and illness, and I am a Robert Wood Johnson Future of Nursing Scholar. I believe that healthy mother-child dyads are foundational to healthy communities and key to making the world a better place.

Q: What compelled you to join the board of 2020 Mom?

A: I am thrilled to be part of the 2020 Mom board because I believe wholeheartedly in the mission: closing gaps in maternal mental health care. Too many moms suffer in silence or struggle to find the support that they need. This needs to change and I feel privileged to be working with such a talented team in addressing this issue.

Q: What do you love about 2020 Mom?

A: Being a PhD student can at times feel isolating. I am immersed in the literature regarding maternal mental health disorders, but my colleagues and fellow students all have different areas of expertise. I love being a part of the 2020 Mom team with so many others who are also passionate about maternal mental health care. It is grounding and refreshing to connect with other people who speak the same language about this important issue. 2020 Mom is where I can collaborate with other talented individuals on an important topic of mutual interest and apply what I am learning towards making real change for women and families.

Q: 2020 Mom’s mission is to close gaps in maternal mental health care. What’s your big hope for how 2020 Mom can fulfill this bold mission?

A: My big hope is that maternal mental health care becomes a routine part of maternal child health care in this country. Postpartum depression and other mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth. They are more common than pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, both which have routine screening and treatment built into maternity care. For gestational diabetes, it is not uncommon for maternity care practices to have a diabetes educator, or a nurse solely dedicated to supporting women with gestational diabetes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was that same level of support of women suffering from maternal mental health disorders? What if it became standard practice to have a specialist in maternal mental health disorders built into maternity care practices? My big hope is that there would be routine screening and treatment for maternal mental health disorders for all women who need it.

Do you have a "My Why" story, about why you are going deep with 2020 Mom, that you'd like to share on our blog? If so click here.