World Mental Health Day: the importance of listening to what your mind needs

Every October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, a date established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992 and supported by the World Health Organization.

It is worth getting ahead of the date, because caring for how you feel is part of the path toward having a baby. And that is an aspect that gets discussed less than it should.

Beyond stress

Talking about mental health stopped meaning only talking about stress or difficult moments. In the same way we see a specialist when something worries us physically, we can also seek support when emotions become hard to manage.

That carries particular weight when you are trying to have a baby. The process brings hope and expectation, and it also brings doubt, uncertainty, frustration, and emotional fatigue. Everyone experiences it differently, and everyone deserves to feel heard.

Two clarifications worth stating plainly:

• Caring for your mental health does not mean keeping a positive attitude all the time.
• Your emotions are not responsible for what happens with your fertility.

It means recognizing that how you feel matters and deserves attention at every stage.

Why the two go together

When you decide to try for a baby, it is natural to pay closer attention to your body, your cycles, and every change. Over time, that attention can turn into constant worry, especially when results do not arrive.

Here there is an important distinction that ASRM itself underlines: everyday stress should not be considered a cause of infertility, and no one resolves a reproductive difficulty simply by relaxing. Fertility involves female and male factors that require medical evaluation.

What is clear is the reverse: a long process, with tests and treatments, has a real emotional impact. The uncertainty, the appointments, the results, and the decisions create a load that deserves attention in its own right.

Emotional support is part of treatment, not an optional extra

Five signs worth not ignoring

There is no single way to go through a fertility process. Some people feel steady for most of it; others go through significant emotional changes.

Rather than asking yourself whether you are reacting “well” or “badly”, it helps to observe how much those emotions are affecting your daily life.

1. Worry takes up much of your day. Thinking about results or next steps is expected. Finding it hard to concentrate on anything else for most of the day is different.

2. You stopped enjoying what used to feel good. Dropping plans, avoiding gatherings, or losing interest in your hobbies over a prolonged period is a change worth looking at.

3. Your sleep or appetite changed markedly. Sleeping far less or far more than usual, or significant appetite changes. It does not necessarily mean a mental health problem, and it is a reason to pause and observe.

4. You find it hard to talk about what you are going through. Sometimes we keep emotions in to protect others or avoid questions. The sense that no one understands appears, or that you have to stay strong all the time. Asking for support is not weakness.

5. You feel this process defines your whole life. Trying for a baby can be an enormous priority without your worth depending on an outcome. If everything starts revolving around dates and tests, reclaiming your own space helps.

What you can do

The first step does not have to be starting treatment. It can simply be understanding your situation.

Through a specialized evaluation, the medical team reviews the factors related to your fertility and explains what options exist. Having clear information reduces part of the uncertainty and lets you take part in decisions about your treatment.

In parallel, emotional support has its own place. That is why our Emotional Support area exists: recognizing when you need a pause, voicing your concerns, and deciding without carrying everything alone.

There is no need to wait until you feel completely overwhelmed to seek guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Is stress preventing me from getting pregnant?

The available evidence does not support everyday stress causing infertility. What does happen is the reverse: a prolonged search generates stress. Addressing it improves how you go through treatment.

Is it normal to feel this way?

Yes. Emotional reactions during fertility treatment are common and expected. What is worth observing is their intensity and how much they interfere with your daily life.

Does psychological support improve the chances of pregnancy?

It is not offered with that aim. It is offered because it improves how you experience the process, helps you sustain decisions, and reduces the toll, which is reason enough.

Might my partner need support too?

Yes, and it often gets overlooked. The emotional impact reaches both people, though it may be expressed differently.

Your wellbeing counts too

Trying for a baby brings hope, and also questions, uncertainty, and emotions that are not always easy to voice. Talking about fertility today means talking about mental health.

None of this is about holding your emotions responsible for what happens with your fertility, or believing that “relaxing” will resolve a medical difficulty. It is about recognizing that your wellbeing matters and deserves support.

Your mental health is part of this path. And you do not have to walk it alone.