#ForMiriam

Miriam was a mother who paid the ultimate price for having a post-partum mood disorder - she was killed the other week in Washington, D.C.

I do not know the specifics in Miriam's case - I do not know if she had sought help or if she was screened for mental health problems. I do not know if she hid her issues.

What I know is that a young mother is dead - she is not the first, and sadly, tragically - she will not be the last; because of a post-partum mental health issue.

What I also know is that we need to do a better job when it comes to maternal mental health. We need to do a better job of understanding the reasons some mothers face mental health challenges in the months and years following birth. We need to do a better job of identifying mothers at risk. We need to do a better job of treating mothers who face mental health challenges. We need to do a better job of making sure that when a mother faces a mental health challenge - she can access the resources she needs in a timely way. We need to do a better job, when possible, of preventing psychological damage as result of childbirth.

The fact that another mother has lost her life to a post-partum mental health issue is sad and tragic - if we continue to not do anything to do better - that is a travesty.

#ForMiriam