The Boone County Community Services department granted additional funding to a program for mothers suffering depression.
The Maternal Mental Health program offered by Lutheran Family and Children Services began with $73,736 in January 2016. On Oct. 3, the program received $23,613 due to an increase in demand.
Kelly Wallis, director of the Boone County Community Services Department, said the program is effective because it’s proactive.
“We really like this program because it focuses on the early childhood years and it really helps to put some preventative efforts in place for mothers who are struggling with depression,” Wallis said.
The program’s mid-year report to the Boone County Community office showed 100 percent of the mothers in the program saw a decrease in their depressive and anxiety symptoms. The program has served 42 mothers so far.
Maternal depression can affect the early bonding and attachment between a mother and child. The interference has been linked with reduced language ability, which ultimately affects academic success. The program is meant to help break the effect of the cycle of mother-child depression.
Heather Wall, regional director of Lutheran Family and Children Services, said depression doesn’t just affect the mom, but it affects the entire family, including the children.
“We want to make sure that we can help moms so we can break that cycle that can potentially happen with their children,” Wall said.