About Session
Session Description:
This session invites attendees to experience Cow Heavy and Floral, a short film that offers a portrait of the unrealistic — and often harmful — expectations many new mothers struggle to navigate in the postpartum period, followed by a facilitated discussion exploring how the absence of guaranteed paid leave shapes the emotional, psychological, and physical experiences of new parents. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how paid leave is a mental health intervention — and how they can be part of existing efforts to advance a policy solution in Montana.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common societal and structural pressures experienced during the postpartum period and describe how these expectations can impact maternal mental health and wellbeing.
- Explain the relationship between paid family leave and perinatal mental health outcomes, including emotional, psychological, and physical health impacts for parents and infants.
- Describe current efforts to advance paid leave policy in Montana and identify at least one way they can support advocacy, education, or community engagement around family-centered policy solutions.
