By LeeAnn Bartolini

May marks National Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance first established in 1949 with the goal of raising awareness about mental illness. In recent years, the spotlight has expanded to include maternal mental health.

Since 2014, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week has been observed within the first week of May and will be recognized this year from May 5-11. World Maternal Mental Health Day will fall on May 7.

The 2025 theme, “Storytelling Saves Lives,” encourages individuals and organizations to share personal experiences using the hashtag #MMHWeek2025.

To honor this theme, I’d like to share the personal story of Marin resident Ivana Jagodic. In 2018, Jagodic experienced postpartum depression and anxiety following the birth of her second child.

Despite having no prior history of mental illness, she found herself struggling to access appropriate support.

Even when she indicated suicidal thoughts on a screening form, no follow-up questions were asked by medical professionals.

After eventually receiving the care she needed, she envisioned a dedicated organization to provide timely assistance to other mothers in similar situations. With the support of friends, she founded the nonprofit Postpartum Support Center (PPSC) in 2019.

Today, the organization serves more than 1,000 individuals monthly in Marin County.

More than 36 years earlier, I too struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. At that time, resources were scarce. Postpartum Support International itself had only just been founded in 1987.

Like Jagodic, my experiences were minimized by health care providers, and I was offered no referrals or assistance.

Fortunately, I recovered — but I never forgot that difficult period.

In 2021, while searching for support groups to assist a young mother in need, I discovered PPSC. I was moved and inspired by its mission and soon became actively involved. Today, I am honored to serve as board chair.

Jagodic and I share a profound belief: Storytelling connects and heals. When we tell our stories, we often discover that others have faced similar struggles — many in silence.

Research shows that 1 in 5 experiences a maternal mental health disorder. We invite all mothers and supporters to share their stories and raise awareness.

What began as a peer support line in 2019 has grown into a vibrant community hub. The center, located at 4162 Redwood Highway in San Rafael, now employs four full-time and four part-time staff, supported by hundreds of volunteers and donors. Our services include:

• Maternal mental health peer support: The dedicated support line, peer counseling, and facilitated support groups.

• ROSE program: Short for “reach out, stay strong — essentials for mothers of newborns,” the evidence-based protocol is designed to prepare expectant parents for the postpartum period and to prevent postpartum depression.

• Marin diaper bank: It provides essential supplies, including free diapers, to mothers and children in need.

• Perinatal classes: They cover birth preferences, labor techniques, newborn care and lactation support, potty training support group and more.

• Comprehensive resources: The center features self-screening mental health assessments, information, referrals and advocacy.

In partnership with Marin Health and Human Services, PPSC has also launched the Marin Maternal Mental Health Collaborative. The initiative seeks to establish a coordinated, communitywide response to maternal mental health challenges across Marin County.

Since its inception in January 2025, the collaborative has developed a unified mission and vision and now welcomes broader community involvement through monthly meetings. To become involved, please email clara@postpartumsc.org.

In collaboration with First 5 Marin and Marin Promise Partnership, the collaborative will host a maternal mental health forum on Friday from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Dominican University. Space is limited; advance registration is required. Please email michelle@first5marin.org to reserve your spot.

I hope you will join us for this vital conversation and be a part of the collective effort to ensure that no mother in Marin faces the challenges of the postpartum period alone.

LeeAnn Bartolini is a professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology at Dominican University of California. She is board chair for the Postpartum Support Center in San Rafael.