SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — In the wake of the alleged attempted murder of three young children in Keizer by their mother, local mental health specialists hope the tragedy can spark a different conversation: making sure parents know help is available before they reach a breaking point.
Anna Norman, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in perinatal mental health, says one of the biggest barriers to getting support is that many parents don’t recognize or don’t want to admit that they’re struggling.
“I think a lot of people have a difficult time acknowledging for themselves that they’re struggling,” said Norman.
Instead of seeking help early, she says many parents wait until their mental health has deteriorated into a crisis.
Her message comes as a recent report from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health estimates that about one in five mothers experiences a maternal mental health condition, such as postpartum depression or anxiety, yet roughly three out of four never receive the treatment they need.
Norman says many people associate parental mental health challenges only with the weeks after childbirth, but the need for support can extend far beyond infancy.
“I think that’s also part of the reason that people don’t seek support because they’re like, ‘Well, my child isn’t six months [old] anymore. I should have this figured out,’ when in reality, that’s not how this works,” said Norman.
She notes that depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, and other mental health challenges can affect parents at many stages of raising children.
She also points to stigma and unrealistic expectations surrounding parenting as reasons many people avoid seeking help.
“I think a lot of people have a difficult time acknowledging for themselves that they’re struggling. I think a lot of people have a difficult time acknowledging that maybe they want to go back to work or they don’t like being home with their kids, or they’re struggling with parenting in some capacity,” said Norman.
“There are a lot of expectations specifically for birthing parents that they were made for this, that they should instinctually know how to care for an infant or a child. And really that’s not based in science or biology.”
Rather than waiting for someone to ask for help, Norman encourages family members and friends to pay attention if they notice a loved one withdrawing, becoming persistently tearful, showing signs of anxiety, or experiencing noticeable changes in behavior.
“I think it’s good to be asking questions,” she said. “How is a person doing? What is going on behind the lens that people might not be able to witness?”
She says those conversations can help reduce stigma and make it easier for parents to seek support before their struggles escalate.
Ultimately, Norman hopes parents understand that asking for help is not a sign of failure.
“This is a big adjustment, and you deserve the support that you need, and it exists,” she said. “These are not things that are uncommon. They’re just things that are often not talked about.”
Resources for parents seeking support
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:
Postpartum Support International Provider Directory: psidirectory.com
Postpartum Support International HelpLine: Call or text 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) for information and local resources.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime or visit 988lifeline.org.
Lines for Life: Oregon crisis and prevention resources at linesforlife.org.
Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health: oregon.gov/oha/hsd/amh/pages/index.aspx.
Oregon Get Help: Find information on crisis services, local call centers and behavioral health resources at oregon.gov/gethelp.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.