An Overlooked Crisis: Natural Disasters and Maternal Mental Health

Abstract

Natural disasters present significant challenges for maternal mental health, particularly among the perinatal population. The increasing frequency of these disasters often exacerbates the emotional, financial, and physical strain on affected individuals. Women in the perinatal period face unique stressors, including hormonal changes, role transitions, and the potential overwhelming responsibility of caring for their newborns, which can intensify the mental health effects of these traumatic events. Natural disasters, such as the Los Angeles wildfires of January 2025, have shown how these stressors can exacerbate anxiety and depression in this population. In this commentary, we underscore the importance of incorporating maternal mental health considerations into disaster preparedness frameworks to ensure that this population receives the support it needs to navigate the challenges posed by natural disasters and mitigate long-term mental health risks.

Keywords: Los Angeles wildfires; disaster preparedness; emergency preparedness; maternal health; mental health services; natural disaster; nurse; perinatal; perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; postpartum.