Virginia Department of Health launches ‘Beyond the Blues’ maternal mental health campaign

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - A new statewide campaign is aiming to help Virginia mothers recognize the signs of postpartum depression earlier and connect with support before a crisis develops.

The Virginia Department of Health recently launched “Beyond the Blues,” a public awareness campaign focused on postpartum depression and other maternal mental health challenges. The initiative includes an online resource hub with educational materials, support groups, and connections to mental health providers across the Commonwealth.

Health officials say many mothers struggle in the weeks and months after giving birth, even though those challenges are not always openly discussed.

“Maternal mental health is no joke,” said Lauren Kozlowski, maternal and infant health programs coordinator with the Virginia Department of Health. “We know the overwhelming majority of people that experience postpartum depression don’t actually get help or support.”

According to the Virginia Department of Health, about 75 percent of women experiencing postpartum depression or other maternal mental health conditions do not receive the help they need.

Kozlowski said postpartum depression is more common than many people realize.

“It is the most common complication associated with pregnancy and childbirth for women,” she said. “What is uncommon is the number of people that get treated.”

The Beyond the Blues campaign encourages mothers to recognize symptoms early and seek support when they need it. Campaign materials highlight signs that can include anxiety, sadness, anger, numbness, fear, or simply not feeling like yourself.

Kozlowski said one of the biggest misconceptions is that new mothers are supposed to feel happy all the time.

“You’re in a hard time. And joy is not the only thing you’re going to feel,” she said. “Even if you worked really hard to get a baby, you’re not beholden to some golden rule that you can only feel joy.”

State health officials hope the campaign helps reduce stigma around maternal mental health and reminds mothers that they do not have to navigate those struggles alone.

More information about the Beyond the Blues campaign, including educational materials, support groups, and connections to mental health resources, is available through the Virginia Department of Health’s resource hub: Beyond the Blues Resource Hub.

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