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Description

Postpartum mental health includes various conditions such as postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression amongst others (Barbic Skye et al., 2021). Rates of postpartum depression (PPD) have been increasing in recent years, impacting mothers, children and entire families by changing the way a mother interacts with others (WHO, 2024). Postpartum mothers face unique challenges when transitioning into motherhood resulting in increased maternal stress and ultimately leading to PPD or PPA. Although rates of PPD and PPA are increasing, there is limited research involving non-pharmaceutical treatment options for new mothers.

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in maternal mental health because it addresses various challenges mothers face during this critical time. Occupational therapists can work with mothers to help facilitate the transition into motherhood by teaching coping skills that promote emotional stability (Slootjes et al., 2016). Very little research addresses postpartum mental health, decreasing the number of resources available to mothers. Additionally, the role of occupational therapy (OT) in maternal mental health is a growing field, but there is limited information about OT and mothers experiencing PPD or PPA (Barbic Skye et al., 2021)

The purpose of this project is to develop an eight-week program addressing mother’s mental health up to eighteen months postpartum. The program aims to help mothers learn how to recognize symptoms of PPD and PPA, implement coping techniques to decrease symptoms, and consider techniques to smoothly transition into the role of motherhood to help improve their occupational engagement and performance.

Publication Date

2025

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Postnatal Mental Health: An Eight-Week Postpartum Program

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