By: Daisy Surjo Vergara
September is a month of many things—back-to-school routines, the start of fall, and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. What many don’t realize is that it’s also Maternal Suicide Awareness Month.
This matters deeply because the leading cause of death for women during pregnancy and in the year after giving birth is not medical complications. It’s suicide.
Why This Matters
Motherhood is often shown through snapshots of joy: a sleeping newborn, smiling family photos, tender moments of bonding. Those are real and beautiful—but they don’t tell the full story.
For many mothers, pregnancy and postpartum bring exhaustion, identity shifts, hormonal changes, and at times, crushing feelings of loneliness. Anxiety and depression are more common than most people realize. And when those feelings are left unseen or unsupported, the risk of suicide grows.
This isn’t rare. And it isn’t inevitable. Maternal suicide is preventable.
Breaking the Silence
Too often, moms feel pressure to look like they’re “holding it all together.” When they feel differently—when the tears won’t stop, when joy feels out of reach, when anger or numbness shows up—many keep quiet.
That silence can be dangerous. Maternal Suicide Awareness Month is about breaking that silence. It’s about making space for mothers to say: This is hard. I need help.
Struggling does not mean failing. Asking for support is a sign of strength. If you’re not sure where to start, Postpartum Support International offers a free, confidential helpline (1-800-944-4773) and connects families to local providers and support groups.
How We Can All Help
Preventing maternal suicide isn’t just the work of professionals—it takes a community. Here are a few ways to start:
Check in with moms differently. Ask “How are you doing?” and really mean it.
Know the warning signs. Ongoing sadness, withdrawal, hopelessness, or thoughts of harm should never be brushed off as “just part of motherhood.”
Offer real, practical support. Bring a meal, watch the baby for an hour, sit and listen without judgment—or share resources like the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, available 24/7 at 1-833-852-6262.
Our Commitment at Ohana
At Ohana Behavioral Health, we believe maternal mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. Becoming a parent changes everything—it’s joyful, yes, but it can also be overwhelming. No one should have to carry that weight alone.
This September, as we honor Maternal Suicide Awareness Month, we commit to seeing mothers fully—for their joy, their struggles, and their humanity. And if you or someone you love is in crisis, you can always call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate help.
When mothers are supported, families and communities thrive.
