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Pregnant Black WomanSource: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty

We have all known someone who struggled with postpartum depression after the birth of their new bundle of joy. Going through depression can be mentally painful not only for the mother, but for the entire family.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force is shining a light on the topic by recommending depression screening for pregnant women and new mothers, citing women in these phases need more attention, NPR reports.

One of the tensions in medicine is deciding how exactly to treat those who are suffering.

“Because hopelessness and inertia are often part and parcel of depression, it can be challenging for persons living with depression to keep at it until finding the treatment that is right for them,” says Ludman of Group Health Research Institute.

Two of the ways to treat depression would be drugs or talk therapy, but the panel does not recommend drug treatment for pregnant women due to potential complications for the baby.

If legislation passes through Congress, the federal government would be able to fund screening for women post pregnancy.

This legislation could be vital for women of color who are silently suffering through these feelings, without an outlet, or the financial backing to assist them.

You can track the progress of the bill here.

SOURCE: NPR

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Beating The Baby Blues: Panel Recommends Depression Screening For Women And New Mothers  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com