If you can't stop thinking about the Lindsay Clancy trial right now. (Resources)

This week, a mistrial was declared in the case of a woman who was charged for the deaths of her children. 

Many people identified with this case because of evidence presented that postpartum psychosis was at play in this case.  

The mistrial occurred because the 12 jurors could not all agree on whether or not she was guilty of the charges presented or should be found guilty unless our charges. 

During and after her trial, the support fund for Ms. Clancy exploded with donations. But a lot of online hate exploded too.

A lot of therapists see themselves in this case in one form or fashion. 

Some have strong reactions to this case because they have experienced their own maternal mental health challenges, both pre- and post-partum.

But other therapists are also reacting to a mental health system that was clearly ill-equipped to help someone in this state. It appeared to be staffed with providers who did not have a sense of how dangerous the situation was for this person's kids, or didn't know what to do.

The fact that the jurors could not agree on a verdict is a direct reflection on how much has changed in the way we think about peripartum mental illnesses. And it is a reflection of how complicated that it all still is.

There's more support than ever for mothers who experience the intense mental health concerns. Remember, postpartum mental illnesses are strongly influenced by:

• Extreme hormonal and physical changes,

• A rapid reorganization of personal identity

• The kind of social isolation that is difficult to describe to someone who’s never experienced it, and 

• Chronic sleep deprivation.

And yet, our growing understanding of this period of life was not enough to prevent such a tragedy. The increased understanding isn't even enough to help us agree on a definition of what kind of tragedy this is. Homicide, yes, but murder? An health-related accident? Both pre-meditated and potentially psychotic? How do we hold these all at the same time?

It’s worth remembering that we’re not just dealing with one system failure, but FOUR, SIMULTANEOUS system failures: medical, public policy, criminal statutes, and community care. 

Therapists will need to contribute to the conversation and advocate for:

1. Improved healthcare standards for women from conception through the raising of their children to at least age three, 

2. Public policy changes in our mental health systemm

3. Updated statutes and case law that reflect that new definitions and consequences/rehabilitation for certain kinds of offenses, and

4. A new approach to community care that reflects how spread out a child's “village” has become in the 21st century. 

Awareness, support and understanding are only the first steps in being able to genuinely help women and children in the postpartum period.

I'm no postpartum expert, so I will let other specialists give you their detailed clinical recommendations (recommendations at the bottom). 

But allow me to highlight one of the more innovative policy changes being discussed: It involves allowing women to have the option of bringing their baby with them if they need to be hospitalized in the postpartum period.

For a provider trying to decide if it’s better to EITHER:

1. hospitalize a mother and separate her from her baby, OR 

2. send her home and hope that she gets a benefit from medication and the occasional therapy she can fit in between feedings, changes, and (hopefully) some sleep…

…an option that takes the either-or out of the equation can help the provider offer more intense services, and it may help the patient to take the offer. 

Something to consider. 

What do you think would help in cases like these?

If you’re in a space to advocate for changes, regardless of how you think this case should have been decided, please, use your voice to speak about your experience. From either side of the couch. 

People want answers and explanations about this topic now more than ever. 

If you'd like to learn more about maternal mental health and postpartum disorders, I'd highly recommend 

The trainings at the Touchstone Institute: https://www.touchstoneinstitute.org/training

I’ve attended 2 different trainings with them, both were incredible. 

This Parenting Book Series:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/K.-C.-Dreisbach-LMFT/author/B073NQH85P/allbooks?ccs_id=bebde9af-622c-463e-8780-36e710b237ed

And this creator on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatiemd

May you be empowered and encouraged for the journey ahead.