Maternal Mental Health: Erin Bagwell's Story About Her First Year of Motherhood

We know that in many countries, as many as 1 in 5 new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, which can lead to tragic and long-term consequences for both mother and child. With so many mothers experiencing PMADs, we wanted to talk to an amazing mom who knows the importance of maternal mental health all too well, Erin Bagwell. 

Erin is a documentary filmmaker, blogger, and new mom. In 2018, Erin became a mother and started filming her new documentary, Year One. The film is an intimate look at the first year of motherhood through Erin's eyes. It addresses the identity shifts, the challenges of experiencing postpartum depression, and the everyday extraordinary moments of being a new mom. Year One is out now and available on YouTube. Erin’s story has been featured in Forbes, TED, Vogue, and The Washington Post and she was named one of Oprah’s SuperSoul100—a list featuring extraordinary individuals that live life intentionally, create great social impact, and bring inspiration to others. Erin was also featured in Apple’s Behind the Mac campaign, highlighting some of the most creative people in Brooklyn.

We love how Erin’s latest film, Year One, really shows the significance of maternal mental health and motherhood. Having experienced postpartum depression herself, we’re grateful to have talked to her about her experience, have her answer our questions, and share her thoughts on this important topic.

Also, here is a list of Erin's recommended resources for mothers!