Franciscan Health is starting a free support group for mothers and their newborns in the Hakha/Chin community at the end of May.
“We kind of don’t accept that we have anxiety or postpartum depression,” said Tuan Sung, a care management assistant with Franciscan Health who will be running the group. “There are more hardships in our community and daily lives because we are in a new country.”
Nearly 30,000 people have settled on the south side, according to the Chin Community of Indiana, after fleeing persecution and violence in their home country of Burma. Mothers are struggling to access resources because of language and cultural barriers, Sung said.
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The group will start on May 28 and meet Tuesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. at Franciscan Health Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. Interested community members can contact Sung at 317-528-8904.
An English-speaking group that meets Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. also has spots available. Call 317-528-5620 for more information.
Staff members received perinatal mental health training through a Kick The Stigma grant from the Colts Foundation, lactation specialist Libby Milch told Mirror Indy.
“There’s so many things you have no idea about until the baby is actually here,” Milch said. “This is a really good opportunity for anyone who’s just not feeling like themselves.”
About one in eight women who have recently given birth experience postpartum depression, according to the CDC, and mothers who have a history of depression or lack social support are at a higher risk.
Symptoms can include crying more often than usual, feeling distant from your baby and doubting your ability to care for them. Doctors recommend therapy, medication and connecting with other moms through support groups like those run by Franciscan Health.
“We have to talk about it,” Sung said. “I hope this helps them.”
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
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