Farnoush & Farzad: Why Should You Care About Maternal Mental Health?

In the latest "Nine Lives, One Opinion," my feminist cats want to know why maternal mental health matters.

Farzad: Lounging on a sunny windowsill. Farnoush, why are you so quiet today? You’ve been staring out the window like you're thinking about something heavy.

Farnoush: Tail flicking thoughtfully. I am, Farzad. It’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week—a time to recognize how mothers, especially in the U.S., are struggling in ways that many people still don’t want to talk about.

Farzad: Ears perk up. Like postpartum depression? I’ve heard humans whisper about that, but no one really seems to say it out loud.

Farnoush: Yes, and not just postpartum depression. There’s also anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and even postpartum psychosis. And it’s not rare. In fact, 1 in 5 women in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder during or after pregnancy.