Episode 9, Season 7: Don't Tap Dance Around Maternal Mental Health
In this episode, hosts Jenna Ermold and Carin Lefkowitz welcome Adrienne Griffen, an "accidental advocate" and Executive Director of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA). A Naval Academy graduate and former intelligence officer, Adrienne shares her powerful personal journey of navigating postpartum depression while holding high-level security clearances – and why it took six months to finally get the help she needed.
The conversation dives deep into the unique "triple threat" of stigma facing military women: the pressure of the warrior ethos, the upheaval of the military lifestyle, and the vulnerabilities of the perinatal period. Adrienne adds to our collection of EBP “sins” and provides practical actionable intel and valuable resources. Whether you are a civilian or military provider, this episode offers a roadmap for moving beyond "baby blues" to provide comprehensive, life-saving support for military-connected families.
Be sure to listen in and remember, we want to hear from you! Have thoughts about this episode? A “clinical sin” you’ve encountered? Ideas for future topics or guests?
You can leave us a voice mail message at speakpipe.com/cdpp4p, or send us an email at cdp-podcast-ggg@usuhs.edu. We love hearing from our listeners. As always, until next time, stay curious, and mind your EBPs.
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Show Notes:
Adrienne Griffen, MPP is an advocate and nationally-recognized expert in the field of maternal mental health. She is a sought-after speaker and educator, using her lived experience to engage audiences on issues surrounding the mental health and wellbeing of our nation’s mothers. Adrienne is the Executive Director of Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (mmhla.org), a nonprofit organization leading efforts to improve maternal mental health in the United States. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy and has a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (24/7 voice and text support in English and Spanish).
- Postpartum Support International (PSI): postpartum.net – Includes specialized support groups for military families.
- Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA): mmhla.org – Advocacy and policy for maternal mental health.
Calls-to-action:
- Review the information provided on mmhla.org especially the MOMs Act
- Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast on the platform of your choice
- Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email
- Send us your questions and feedback!
This podcast is produced by the Center for Deployment Psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Uniformed Services University, the Department of War, or the US Government. In addition, reference to any specific company, products, processes, or services does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement by the Uniformed Services University, the Department of War, or the US Government.