A few years ago, one of our mamas was expecting a little one. She was nervous and excited, experiencing all the normal emotions that come with pregnancy. But, as time went on, her pregnancy became high risk. She found herself put on bed rest, which meant she had to miss school and made her feel isolated from her friends. She was experiencing increased anxiety over her baby's health and her own.  

But this mama wasn't alone! The friends she had made at Grace's Table understood what she was going through and were ready and willing to support her during this process. They would come to hang out with her while she rested and even help out with things that needed to be done around her home. Her mentor and family advocate were both constantly checking in with her, helping to navigate the many different appointments and instructions she was getting. She was offered the option of therapy through our contracted counseling center.  And when the baby finally arrived, the love and support continued to be present in her life. 

At Grace's Table, we have the joy of walking alongside teen mamas as they navigate life and all its challenges and joys.  We've seen first-hand the many ways mental and physical health impacts the lives of the teen mamas we serve, and we've learned a few things along the way. 

Our mental and physical health is the foundation of our well-being. Nourishing our minds, bodies, and spirits is what enables us to pursue our goals, cultivate relationships, and even participate in our favorite hobbies. Without this foundation, life can feel frantic, and our stress level runs high.  

Mental health is important for everyone, but teen mamas are frequently under-supported in this area. Many do not have access to mental health support services, or they may not have enough knowledge on the topic to seek the help they need. It’s especially important to support teen mamas in this area as they are twice as likely to experience mental health problems than their peers (Hodgkinson). 

But why is this? Here's what we know about mental health among teen mamas: 

1. Both adolescence and pregnancy are times of increased physiological, biological, and social changes. 

   Adolescence, or the transition from childhood to adulthood, is a phase of life that is full of change. As young people go through puberty, their bodies and hormones are in a constant state of flux. Adolescents often experience a change in their social circles as friendships and relationship dynamics shift. All of the change that happens during adolescence is normal and is important to the development of our brains and bodies.  

   However, adding parenting or pregnancy on top of all the changes of adolescence can interfere with a teen’s natural development. During pregnancy, your body experiences great physical changes, as well as hormonal and emotional changes.  

   Both adolescence and pregnancy are times when a person can experience heightened vulnerability to mental health challenges, and experiencing both of these at the same time means teen mothers are often twice as likely to experience outcomes like depression than their peers.  

2. Teen Mamas are more likely to face economic challenges. 

   The majority of the teen mamas we serve at Grace's Table live at or below the poverty line. Many of them have to leave school in order to take care of their kiddo. And most of them will experience housing insecurity in some form during their life.  

   "In addition to navigating the developmental tasks of adolescence, teenage mothers must also adjust to the responsibilities and demands of parenting, often in the context of economic and social disadvantage. Such stressors may contribute to a range of mental health problems that can adversely affect the functioning and parenting behavior of adolescent mothers and increase the risk of behavioral problems in their offspring." (Hodgkinson) 

3. Teen Mamas are more likely to experience health complications during their pregnancy. 

   Studies have found that young mothers are more likely to have pre-term and low birth weight pregnancies. According to one study, 

   "These challenges may trigger or compound existing vulnerability to mental ill-health; conversely, psychosocial distress may make it difficult for pregnant adolescents and young mothers to care for themselves and their infants, leading to poorer health outcomes for mother and child." (Laurenzi)

But there is hope!  Research has shown that with strong social and functional support, teen mothers can have fantastic outcomes (Hodkinson). 

At Grace's Table, we work with teen mamas to identify their unique goals and help them plan out the steps they will take to reach those goals. When it comes to mental and physical health, we love teaching our mamas the importance of self-care and noticing how they are feeling physically, mentally, and spiritually. The practice of noticing and caring helps to ground us in who we are and helps to nourish the foundation of our well-being; our physical and mental health. Having this kind of support empowers teen mamas to claim brighter futures for themselves and their kiddos. 

This Spring, we'll be elevating the importance of mental health through our Wellness Event- Grounded in Grace. During our time together, you'll get to experience some of the ways we support and equip the teen mamas we serve. We hope you'll join us to meet some of our amazing community partners, participate in a yoga and meditation session, and simply enjoy some quality time in community! 

Sources

• Hodgkinson S, Beers L, Southammakosane C, Lewin A. Addressing the mental health needs of pregnant and parenting adolescents. Pediatrics. 2014 Jan;133(1):114-22. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-0927. Epub 2013 Dec 2. PMID: 24298010; PMCID: PMC3876179. 

• Laurenzi, C.A., Gordon, S., Abrahams, N. et al. Psychosocial interventions targeting mental health in pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents: a systematic review. Reprod Health 17, 65 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-00913-y