Maternal Mental Health: Creating Space to Talk, Understand, and Support

There are moments after childbirth that do not make it into photo albums. Moments of confusion, overwhelm, deep exhaustion, and at times sadness or anxiety that are difficult to name. For many women, these feelings are accompanied by shame and guilt, as this period is often expected to be one of pure joy and fulfillment.

In reality, the experience is far more complex. In recent months, with the ongoing impact of war, emotional strain, uncertainty, and isolation have only intensified, making it even harder for women to navigate this period alone.

Against this backdrop, WIZO will mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from May 4 to May 10, with a series of online lectures and workshops dedicated to the emotional experience surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood.

The program will be led by Adv. Vardit Avidan, Head of WIZO’s Legal-Therapeutic Services and Policy and Legislation Advancement, bringing together professional expertise with field-based experience. Throughout the week, the program will address multiple layers of this experience, from the mother-infant bond to the connection between body and mind, from couple relationships to community support, and from the impact of the current security reality to the most personal aspects of daily life. The goal is not only to provide professional knowledge, but also to create space for recognition, language, and open conversation around what many experience but rarely voice.

This year, the program has expanded to reflect a broader understanding of maternal mental health as a shared responsibility. Greater attention is given to the role of the second parent through WIZO’s “A Father Is Born” program, which focuses on fathers, particularly those serving in reserve duty while navigating early parenthood. The program addresses changing expectations of fatherhood, emotional challenges, identity, and their impact on the family unit.

At the same time, the role of the couple relationship is explored as a central factor in this period, examining how communication, shared responsibility, and emotional support directly shape the mental experience after childbirth.

The week will also include personal stories, bringing lived experiences to the forefront. Among them is the story of a participant in WIZO’s “Women in Movement” program, who will share her experience with postpartum depression and the process of recognizing, naming, and beginning to cope with it within a supportive group framework. Another perspective presented will be that of a woman who chose not to have children, expanding the conversation around motherhood, social expectations, and personal choice.

As part of strengthening the overall response, WIZO will also launch a new consultation line for professionals, offering guidance, support, and practical tools for doctors, therapists, and practitioners working with complex situations related to pregnancy and childbirth.

In addition to lectures, this year places a stronger emphasis on workshops, recognizing that knowledge alone is not enough. Experiential sessions will focus on birth processing, body-mind work, and practical tools that can be applied both in personal life and professional practice.

The program is open to both women and professionals in the fields of health, therapy, and support. It aims not only to raise awareness, but to reshape how maternal mental health is understood, shifting from an individual burden to a shared responsibility of partners, families, communities, and professional systems.

WIZO continues to operate a wide range of programs supporting maternal mental health, for both mothers and fathers, including “First Mom,” “Homefront Heroes” programs for mothers, and additional frameworks designed to provide ongoing emotional, social, and professional support during this critical stage of life.