Sleepless nights. Unspoken fears. A body that doesn’t feel like yours. For first-time moms, the journey into motherhood often comes with more questions than answers. There’s joy, yes, but also fear, loneliness, and pressure.

On World Maternal Mental Health Day 2025, we’re shining a light on what’s often overlooked: the emotional and mental load mothers carry.

The 2025 theme, “Stronger Together,” reminds us that no mom should have to navigate motherhood in isolation. It takes a community. It takes listening ears. It takes safe spaces. It takes support. And that’s exactly what First Time Moms Academy (FTMA) is here to provide.

Many women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), including postpartum depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. These conditions are common but often hidden. Symptoms can include persistent sadness, irritability, extreme fatigue, trouble sleeping (even when the baby sleeps), racing thoughts, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, difficulty bonding with the baby, and even scary or unwanted thoughts.

The pressure to “enjoy every moment” can silence moms who are hurting inside, moms battling hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, physical recovery, and self-doubt.

Some hide their symptoms, afraid of being judged or misunderstood. Some are grieving silently after miscarriage or stillbirth, unsure where to turn. Some are navigating the emotional toll of caring for their families while trying to stay afloat themselves. And many don’t realize that what they’re experiencing, whether it’s intense mood swings, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts, could be signs of a medical condition that needs attention and treatment. These struggles don’t just affect the mother, they can shape the well-being of the whole family. When a mother’s mental health is supported, everyone around her benefits too.

These struggles are real, just often masked by filtered photos and forced smiles.

That’s why the general theme, “Your Voice, Your Strength,” matters. Breaking the silence around maternal mental health is not a sign of weakness, it’s an act of courage. When one mother opens up, it creates space for others to say, “Me too.”

At FTMA, we support maternal mental health not just today, but every day. Through relatable content, weekly check-ins, expert-backed resources, and a growing network of first-time moms, we make sure no mother feels like she has to figure it all out alone.

Whether you’re pregnant, freshly postpartum, or several months into the journey, your emotional well-being matters. Your voice matters.

So today, let’s stand together because when mothers support each other, we all grow stronger. And when we speak out, our voices become our strength.