Maternal Mental Health: Navigating Postpartum Depression and Family Healing with Pooja Makhijani

Today on EmotionAL Support, I’m joined by author and journalist Pooja Makhijani.

Pooja’s forthcoming picture book, Together for Mama, was inspired by her own experience with postpartum depression and explores a conversation that so many families face but rarely know how to talk about: what happens when a parent is struggling with their mental health?

We often discuss postpartum depression through the lens of the mother experiencing it, but we don’t talk enough about how it affects the entire family—or how children make sense of changes they see in the adults they love most. As someone who has been incredibly open about my own maternal mental health journey, I know firsthand how important it is to reduce stigma, seek support, and create honest conversations around these experiences.

In this deeply educational and heartfelt interview, Pooja and I dive into the realities of postpartum anxiety, parenting through difficult seasons, and breaking generational cycles of silence. We also discuss how children's literature and storytelling can give families the tools they need to navigate conversations that sometimes feel impossible to start.

Whether you are a parent currently navigating your own emotional health, a family member looking to provide better community support, or someone passionate about breaking mental health stigma, this episode is a reminder that you are never alone.

🕒 Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Understanding Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

03:04 – The Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Families and Children

05:56 – The Journey to Seeking Help & Overcoming Stigma

08:58 – The Crucial Role of Community and Multigenerational Support

11:51 – Writing as a Healing Process

15:00 – Creating Together for Mama: A Children's Book on Mental Health

17:51 – Children's Awareness of Parental Emotions & Emotional Intelligence

20:27 – Navigating and Validating Children's Big Emotions

22:17 – The Role of Picture Books in Emotional Understanding

26:35 – Breaking the Silence on Postpartum Depression

29:04 – Building Community in Modern Parenting

34:24 – Lifesaving Conversations to Break the Stigma

36:07 – Finding Your Own Emotional Support

🔗 Resources & Links

Learn more about Pooja Makhijani: Pooja Makhijani's Website

Connect with Alessandra: Follow along on Instagram @alessandratorresani

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