Data highlight
Out of 46 reporting states, Oklahoma was found to have the 25th highest rate of postpartum depression at 11.9%, tied with Illinois. Louisiana has the lowest rate at 8.7%, and Mississippi has the highest at 17.1%.
Out of 46 reporting states, Oklahoma was found to have the 25th highest rate of postpartum depression at 11.9%, tied with Illinois. Louisiana has the lowest rate at 8.7%, and Mississippi has the highest at 17.1%.
Percentage of people experiencing postpartum depression up to one year after termination of a pregnancy as of 2023.
Source: America’s Health Rankings
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects some individuals after pregnancy. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that can impact a person’s ability to care for themselves and their newborn.
PPD can occur up to 1 year after the end of a pregnancy, but it most commonly starts about 1–3 weeks after childbirth. It’s more severe and persistent than the “baby blues,” which is a common and milder mood disturbance that many new parents experience.
Pregnancy and birth are physically and mentally demanding. During pregnancy and after giving birth, hormones and sleep patterns change, and new stressors often emerge such as financial concerns, returning to work, and finding/paying for childcare (see Cost of Child Care). These factors make postpartum a vulnerable time for women, especially for those with a history of poor mental or physical health (see Access to Mental Health Services).
Women with a history of depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders are at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression (see Depression and Anxiety, Frequent Mental Distress). Further, those who experience traumatic or stressful events during pregnancy, have a negative breastfeeding experience (see Exclusive Breastfeeding), family history of mental health disorders, or lack social support are more likely to develop postpartum depression.
Perinatal mental health disorders like postpartum depression are commonly underreported and underscreened. According to the most recent data (2018-2023) from the Oklahoma Toddler Survey and the 2025 MMRC Report, 60% of new mothers were screened for postpartum depression in Oklahoma, and 18% of mothers were diagnosed.
Non-Hispanic White mothers in OK reported the highest prevalence of receiving both PPD screenings (67.4%) and diagnosis (22.0%), followed by Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native mothers (65.9% screened and 21.9% diagnosed). Non-Hispanic Black mothers and Hispanic mothers experienced lower rates of PPD screenings and diagnoses: 61.2% of NH Black women were screened (with 17.1% diagnosed), and 61.5% of Hispanic mothers were screened, yet they had the lowest rates of PPD, at 9.8%.
While postpartum depression is the most common mental health condition in the perinatal period, it is not the only one. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) can also include anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis.
More comprehensive and consistent reporting of other PMADs, especially on the state level, would help paint a more comprehensive picture of perinatal mental health concerns. In 2019, the Oklahoma state legislature passed SB 419, requiring physicians to screen women for depression during pregnancy and pediatricians to screen mothers during their children’s well baby visits. Despite this step towards improving maternal health, the lack of uniform screening requirements and assessment methods across hospital systems may influence the accuracy of data collected.
Many Oklahoman mothers are covered by SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, during their pregnancy (see Women Enrolled in Medicaid/SoonerCare). Extensions and expansions of the program over the years have been linked to improving maternal health and addressing postpartum depression rates nationally.
This issue brief was written by Metriarch staff as part of our Data Lookbook. Contributions and peer review provided by Leah Meyer, MS, LPC, PMH-C, at Family & Children’s Services.
Suggested citation
Metriarch. “Mental Health,” Data Lookbook (2025). URL: metriarchok.org/oostpartum-depression.
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