In Our Space

Perinatal Mental Health: Understanding PMADs & When to Seek Help

Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring profound emotional, physical, and psychological changes. But how do we distinguish expected adjustment from a mental health concern that may require additional support?

In the first episode of In Our Space: A Mental Health Podcast, Ira Hays, LCSW, hosts a conversation with Ajita Shah, LPC, NCC, ACS, PMH-C, and Ololade “Lola” Ekwere, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, PMH-C, about perinatal mental health and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).

The conversation explores:

• What PMADs are and who can experience them

• Mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period

• Why perinatal mental health concerns can sometimes go unrecognized

• Mental health risks during the perinatal period

• The impact of PMADs on birthing and non-birthing parents

• Signs that someone may need additional mental health support

• Barriers that can make it difficult for parents to ask for or receive help

• The importance of specialized perinatal mental healthcare

• When outpatient treatment may not provide enough support

• How more structured levels of care, including IOP and PHP, can fit into the continuum of treatment

About the Guests

Ajita Shah, LPC, NCC, ACS, PMH-C is the Founder and Program Director of Innerspace Counseling and a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience in mental healthcare.

Ololade “Lola” Ekwere, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, PMH-C is a psychiatric and family nurse practitioner who provides psychiatric care at Innerspace Counseling as well as her private practice.

Both Ajita and Lola hold the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), reflecting specialized education in perinatal mental health.

About the Host

Ira Hays, LCSW hosts this episode of In Our Space and joins Ajita and Lola in exploring what individuals, families, and professionals should know about perinatal mental health.

About In Our Space

In Our Space: A Mental Health Podcast, presented by Innerspace Counseling, creates space for informed conversations about mental health, evidence-based treatment, and the challenges affecting individuals and families.

Learn More

Innerspace Counseling provides specialized mental health Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program (IOP/PHP) that serves children, adolescents, and adults in New Jersey, with specialized programming for mental health, OCD & Anxiety, and Perinatal Wellness

Visit www.InnerspaceCounseling.com to learn more.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or needs immediate support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Disclaimer: In Our Space is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The podcast does not provide medical or mental health advice and is not a substitute for individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.