This month is Maternal Mental Health Month so Southeastern Utah Health Department (SEUHD) wanted to share some very important information on the subject. Nursing Director, Sara Braby and Public Health Nurse, Errin Rauhala took time to come to Castle Country Radio to share information with listeners.

SEUHD has been working with the University of Utah to conduct a Maternal Mental Health study. “We have been doing this for the last eight years, and we are using the Weinberg Screening. That gives them a number and then our nurses in our office can talk to them about where they’re at in their journey with it and we can provide them with resources. Refer them to local mental health providers, just kind of help them formulate a plan on what they are going to do,” said Braby. SEUHD start screening moms during their pregnancy to help them know the signs of depression during and after their pregnancy.

It’s good to bring up the topic of mental health because it helps raise awareness. “Right, and that’s part of what we are trying to do with this is normalize it. It’s normal for people to feel this way, it’s a good thing to talk about and to get help with. Everyone should feel like they can get help and that there are resources out there for them,” said Braby. That’s the purpose for the screening is to help those mothers who are in need of local resources.

SEUHD not only helps mothers with the resources in the area but they also have tools that help the mothers too. “We have a new resource that we’ve been handing out to pregnant moms or postpartum moms and it has lists of signs of depression and anxiety, because a lot of time those go hand and hand; and they can start while you’re pregnant, you can get some anxiety. So we have lists of different things you can be aware of and then you can even highlight or write down, like when I feel anxious, these are my symptoms, or when I am depressed these are my symptoms, because everybody is a little bit different. So when you are noticing that you’re having these signs or symptoms, then also on this piece of paper there is some things that you can write down that help you feel better,” said Rauhala. The things you may list to help with depression and anxiety is to go for a walk, get more sleep, and eat healthier, those types of things.

If you aren’t feeling good and are in need of mental health resources contact the Southeastern Utah Health Department at (435) 637-3671 or stop by their office at 149 East 100 South in Price.