Maven Clinic’s Post

Mental health issues are a common thread across much of my research on reproductive health issues in the workplace... Many menstrual health conditions have significant mental health symptoms, often exacerbated by delays in diagnosis and medical gaslighting Infertility, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss are associated with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and suicidal thoughts Pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period can bring/exacerbate anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, tokophobia, psychosis, PTSD, intrusive and/or suicidal thoughts Perimenopause and menopause often come with significant psychological symptoms, and these are often less expected and understood than physical ones. Men/partners are affected by the mental health tolls of things like infertility, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and childlessness. We also know that 1 in 10 dads experience perinatal mental illness. Yet men/dads/partners are often overlooked in discussions. ALL of these issues can be exacerbated when workplace factors are hostile to reproductive health and/or mental health. Where issues are silenced, forgotten, trivialised or subject to discrimination. On the flip side, there are great opportunities in the workplace to raise awareness, educate different stakeholders and offer adjustments & supports that aid recovery. I am LOVING the fact that more organisations are talking about different facets of reproductive health, but let's make sure these discussions cover mental health as well as physical, and everyone affected. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ReproductiveHealth #Wellbeingatwork #WorkLifeInclusion

Thank you Shalene Gupta for a great summary of PMDD and how the lack of funding toward menstrual or menopausal issues (as compared to prenatal) is affecting womens' abilities to handle this disorder. As someone who suffered from this at one time, I can speak to the anguish this disorder can cause, and I am so grateful that my primary care doc at the time pushed me in the right direction to take it on. It's a reminder as well for those of us in the HR Profession - do we seek to understand the story each individual employee brings to their workplace? Or do we have ways to offer resources and support without asking the wrong questions? Good things to consider here.

Infertility can affect a wide range of people; men, women, mixed and same sex couples as well as individuals seeking fertility treatment alone. While many employers now have mental health policies in place, few have any focused specifically on the challenges faced during infertility struggles. In our latest whitepaper, we offer insight into the difficulties faced by employees with fertility issues and suggest adjustments that can be made by employers to better support their staff. Download the whitepaper by following the link below 👇 https://hubs.ly/Q02QVVml0 #FertilitySupport #EmployeeWellbeing #CorporateHealthcare

These are the top 3 questions I wish line managers would ask when employees are brave enough to share fertility challenges. What would you add? #ivfjourney #ivftreatment #ivf #careercoach #careercoaching #hr #fertilityintheworkplace #fertility #fertilitytreatment https://lnkd.in/eT63iMPT

The many medical appointments associated with fertility challenges can interfere with an employee’s career, but the mental health toll of fertility challenges is what often gets overlooked. Read more about the overlap between fertility support and mental health support, and why your organization would benefit from providing both: 

Last month, IVFN Founder, Charlotte Gentry, joined Bupa for their virtual Health Horizons event. Health Horizons is a live, virtual event created to guide the future of workplace health and wellbeing, one horizon at a time. Charlotte and her husband, Adam, attended the event to discuss their fertility journeys from both male and female perspectives and how the experience impacted their mental health. Deciding it’s time to start a family is a major life moment. But sometimes, feelings of elation and excitement can be interwoven with negative emotions. For example, anxiety, depression, and self-doubts. As many as one in five women, and one in ten males, experience mental health problems either during their pregnancy or following the birth. An article from Charlotte's Q&A session is now live and highlights some of the key figures surrounding mental health during your fertility journey and ways to manage and minimise any negative impacts. You can read through the article here: https://lnkd.in/e3DaxmTU Follow us for more information about navigating fertility in the workplace! #IVFNetwork #Fertility #FertilityExpert #IVFSupport #FertilityCommunity #FertilityTips #MaleFertility #MentalHealth #IVFJourney #Bupa

Today marks National Rainbow Baby Day 🌈, highlighting the resilience of those on fertility journeys. At Syrona Health, we're committed to supporting individuals and employers through these challenges. Did you know? • 1 in 6 couples struggle with fertility • 68% of employees facing fertility challenges consider leaving their job due to lack of support • 90% undergoing fertility treatment report feeling depressed Employers play a crucial role. Our data shows companies offering comprehensive fertility support see an increase in retention, improvement in overall job satisfaction and loyalty towards their employer. Syrona Health provides educational content, on-demand fertility specialists , access to a network of vetted fertility clinics and tailored mental health support. Learn how Syrona Health can help your company. Link in comments. #RainbowBabyAwarenessDay #FertilitySupport #EmployeeWellbeing #SyronaHealth #fertilitybenefits

Blog: A guide to supporting fertility in the workplace Read it here: https://lnkd.in/egDZk8QQ In this handy guide we discuss fertility support in the workplace by highlighting the challenges employees face, outlining the importance of fertility benefits, and exploring the types of support that you can put in place. The guide is perfect for business leaders and HR professionals who want to understand the what, why and how of fertility support in the workplace, covering key issues such as: 🤷♀️ Causes of infertility 🙅♀️ Barriers to accessing treatment 😰 Sources of fertility anxiety 👩💻 The landscape of fertility support in the workplace 🤳 How employers can support employees with fertility issues #fertility #fertilitybenefits

Infertility is a growing concern in Ireland, affecting many women who face significant emotional and psychological challenges during their journey to conceive. The struggle with infertility can lead to feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and anxiety, as societal expectations often place immense pressure on women to become mothers. Many women undergo various fertility treatments, such as IVF or IUI, which can be physically taxing and emotionally draining. The uncertainty surrounding treatment outcomes can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness, particularly when faced with repeated failures or the need for donor assistance. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive support systems and the stigma associated with infertility can make it difficult for women to openly discuss their experiences, further intensifying their struggles. Access to support groups and mental health resources is crucial for helping women navigate these challenges and fostering resilience during this difficult time. #InfertilityIreland #FertilityChallenges #IVFJourney #IUIAwareness #SupportingWomen #MentalHealthMatters #ResilienceInAdversity #InfertilitySupport #ConceptionStruggles #EmotionalWellness #Psychotherapydublin

This National Infertility Awareness Week is a great time to commit to becoming a better ally to employees experiencing infertility. Employers can do more to break down infertility stigma, reduce shame, and improve employee well-being as they navigate their journeys. #infertility #Calm #mentalhealth