A new JAMA study shows a rise in poor mental health among American mothers, fueling urgent calls for paid leave, affordable childcare, and systemic reform.
By Harper Reeve, Senior Health Correspondent
A growing maternal mental health crisis is gripping the United States, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The report reveals a stark increase in mental health challenges among mothers, with the percentage of those reporting poor or fair mental health rising from 5% in 2016 to over 8% in 2023—an alarming 60% surge in less than a decade.
Experts blame the increase on compounding stressors such as lack of paid parental leave, high childcare costs, and unattainable societal expectations. As rates of anxiety and depression spike, advocates and healthcare professionals are calling for sweeping legislative and cultural reforms to stem the tide of what many now call a “silent epidemic.”
Societal Pressure, Systemic Shortfalls Behind Alarming Trends
The United States stands alone among developed nations for its lack of guaranteed paid maternity leave. The absence of formal support systems forces millions of mothers to navigate early parenthood without adequate time to recover physically or mentally after childbirth.
Deena Margolin and Kristin Gallant, parenting experts and co-authors of the viral essay “Big Little Feelings: We Need to Talk About Maternal Mental Health—Before It’s Too Late,” describe a nation failing its mothers.
“Even mothers with significant economic advantages are falling apart,” Margolin writes. “The weight of doing it all, alone, is crushing.”
They argue that the pressure to meet societal ideals—returning to work early, breastfeeding perfectly, maintaining a spotless home—creates an unsustainable environment. Mothers are internalizing unrealistic standards at the cost of their mental well-being.
Mothers Speak Out: “We Were Never Meant to Do This Alone”
The emotional burden of modern motherhood is rarely shared in public forums, yet mothers across the U.S. are increasingly breaking their silence. Social media accounts, advocacy blogs, and support groups have become crucial outlets for sharing lived experiences.
Kristin Gallant highlights practical strategies mothers can use to protect their mental health:
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Build support networks before childbirth
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Take intentional breaks throughout the day
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Recognize and validate personal emotional needs
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Create safe spaces for open conversations
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Seek medical intervention when needed
“Asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure,” Gallant affirms. “We were never meant to carry this alone.”
U.S. Policies Lag Behind Global Standards
The economic structure of U.S. childcare is particularly punishing. According to a 2024 report from the Economic Policy Institute, American families pay on average over $14,000 annually for infant care—more than in-state college tuition in many states.
This financial strain often forces mothers into impossible choices: return to work before they’re ready, or leave their jobs entirely, risking long-term financial instability and exacerbating feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
In contrast, countries like Sweden, Germany, and Canada offer extensive paid parental leave and subsidized childcare, resulting in significantly lower maternal depression rates.
Health Consequences and Societal Implications
Maternal mental health is not just a private issue—it has profound public health implications. Studies show that untreated postpartum depression increases the risk of developmental delays in children and places strain on relationships and community networks.
Dr. Katherine Wisner, a psychiatrist and maternal mental health researcher at Northwestern University, stresses the societal cost:
“The mental well-being of mothers is the foundation of a healthy society. Ignoring it has consequences that ripple across generations.”
A 2022 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further supports this, noting that maternal mental health disorders are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S.
Growing Momentum for Policy Change
Amid rising public concern, momentum is building in Washington and state legislatures for systemic reform. Proposed federal legislation such as the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act aims to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents.
While the bill faces political hurdles, some states—including California, New York, and Rhode Island—have already implemented their own paid family leave programs, offering a model for nationwide policy.
Advocates urge continued pressure on lawmakers to prioritize maternal mental health in broader health and economic policy discussions.
A Path Forward: Cultural Shift and Legislative Action
Beyond policy, experts say a cultural reckoning is needed to reshape how society views motherhood. Shifting from glorifying self-sacrifice to encouraging balance and community support is essential.
Media, workplaces, and educational institutions all play a role in normalizing conversations around mental health and dismantling stigmas that prevent mothers from seeking help.
The combined power of legislative reform, cultural change, and proactive healthcare could create a more compassionate future for mothers—and by extension, for children and society as a whole.
