The Professional Counselor | Volume 14, Issue 3 266 and cultural norms of help-seeking behavior in addition to the reduced availability and accessibility of postpartum social and emotional supports in rural localities. This finding is consistent with previous studies that indicate an overall decline in critical structure related to childbirth and postpartum care in rural communities (Hung et al., 2017; Kozhimannil et al., 2016, 2019; Kroelinger et al., 2021). However, the findings of this present study provide localized insight into the demand side of postpartum social and emotional help-seeking. Although the supply of postpartum social and emotional support, in addition to critical health care infrastructure, was lacking, the rural mothers who participated in this study readily identified and desired needed social and emotional support. Implications The study’s results have various implications for counselors, particularly those working in rural communities or with a perinatal population. While there is a precedence for targeted interventions to support postpartum women through mental health programs (Geller et al., 2018), traumatic birth recovery support (Miller et al., 2021), and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder recovery (P-PTSD; Cirino & Knapp, 2019), we did not observe these practices being implemented in any of the rural communities studied. The participants frequently described impactful, possibly traumatic, birth experiences and identified a lack of support during delivery and after being released from the hospital. Counselors, especially in rural communities, would benefit from establishing systems for support for postpartum mothers. The participants also described a desire to feel supported by the medical community. Although they described crafting birth plans, they often felt that these were disregarded or ignored during childbirth, which contradicts recommendations to use birth plans to create security for women (Greenfield et al., 2019). The women also expressed apprehension toward assessment for postpartum depression by their doctor. Creating an environment where mothers feel safe with an emphasis on both depression and a holistic understanding of life’s current difficulties provides a more effective assessment (Corrigan et al., 2015). Counselors could benefit from providing psychoeducation to the medical community, particularly nurses in OBGYN clinics, or those having a role in supporting mothers within a medical setting. A final implication for counselors is to help new mothers find social support and connections in their community. While literature supports the need for social support in rural communities (Letvak, 2002) and for postpartum mothers (Geller et al., 2018), throughout the groups, the mothers frequently identified the desire to stay connected yet being unable to find mothers’ groups. However, they identified a lack of opportunities within the community (e.g., no community meeting space and parks that are inaccessible in winter months) and not having the time, energy, or knowledge to form a group themselves. As a result, counselors can help by advocating for community spaces and creating postpartum support groups, which would greatly benefit the rural communities we studied. Recommendations for Professional Counselors Given the findings of this study, we propose the following strategies for professional counselors to employ in supporting the social, emotional, and overall mental wellness of postpartum mothers in rural areas: • Empowerment practices: In the context of postpartum mothers, it is crucial for counselors to address feelings of powerlessness that can impact mental health. Counselors should focus on empowering practices such as positive self-talk, affirmations, and promoting self-care to counteract external factors that diminish autonomy and control.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDU5MTM1