S1. E5. Navigating Maternal Mental Health with Amanda Flores, LMFT

TRIGGER WARNING! Post partum depression discussion!!In this episode, I sat down with Amanda Flores, a culturally competent licensed marriage and family therapist who gets really real about her own experience with postpartum depression and anxiety. We talk about why maternal mental health is so overlooked, the added layer of chaos the pandemic dropped on moms, and why no one should have to do motherhood alone (despite what society tries to sell us).Amanda shares the good, the hard, and the “I didn’t sign up for this” parts of being both a mom and a fire wife. We dig into cultural expectations, guilt, and the power of having support systems that actually… support. If you’ve ever felt like you’re supposed to hold it all together while falling apart inside, this conversation is a giant permission slip that you don’t have to.Follow Amanda on IG @wholeheartedmamatherapy and Audra on @carryonfirefamilyFind Amanda on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/amanda-flores-brea-ca/960098For More information on Postpartum Support: https://postpartum.net/Visit Audra's website: https://carryoncarrion.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Maternal Mental Health01:47 Personal Journey and Professional Insights01:58 Navigating Postpartum Challenges During COVID15:00 Finding Support and Healing Strategies23:56 Balancing Motherhood and Partner's Career25:30 Redesigning Postpartum Care in the U.S.30:12 Overcoming Stigma: Asking for Help31:58 The Importance of Community and Self-Care32:18 Advocating for Maternal Health34:48 Communication in Fire Families37:34 Self-Care Essentials for New Moms40:45 Leaving a Legacy of Support and Passion46:49 Black and White Modern Animated Vlog YouTube Intro (2).mp4Keywordsmaternal mental health, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, support systems, self-care, motherhood, mental health resources, fire wife, community support, therapy, firefighter