BATON ROUGE — During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Artie Brown, like many others, was searching for ways to cope with the challenges of an uncertain world. For her, this uncertainty led to a profound realization: the unique struggles faced by modern mothers. It was from this realization that Conscious Moms was born, a community-focused initiative aimed at addressing maternal mental health—a topic often left in the shadows.
Artie Brown initially set out to design a hands-free bag for parents, but the project quickly evolved as she engaged in conversations with mothers who were overwhelmed by their responsibilities. What began as a practical solution became a mission to tackle a deeper issue: the mental health crisis among mothers, exacerbated by societal pressures and the lack of support.
Brown describes the current landscape of motherhood as one filled with relentless expectations: “There’s this shift where society views children more as burdens than blessings, mainly because of the sheer overwhelm that moms feel. We’re expected to do it all—manage the household, care for our children, excel at work, exercise, stay hydrated, read, and somehow find time for self-care. It’s a lot,” she said.
Breaking the stigma around maternal mental health
Conscious Moms is determined to break the stigma surrounding maternal mental health and make it easier for mothers to seek help without judgment. The organization offers resources such as free therapy sessions and monthly support groups to give mothers a safe space to express their feelings and get the help they need.
“I wish we could call it something else, because people often associate ‘mental health’ with being crazy or psychotic. That’s simply not true,” Brown shared. “Sometimes it’s just about feeling overwhelmed or anxious. A therapist once told me, ‘You might only feel overwhelmed at specific times of the day.’ It’s about recognizing patterns and understanding that it’s okay to need help.”
The alarming state of maternal mental health
The statistics on maternal mental health are sobering. According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, and nearly 20% of mothers report struggling with anxiety during pregnancy or the postpartum period. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that maternal mental health issues are among the most common complications of childbirth, yet they often go undiagnosed and untreated due to the stigma around seeking help.
Brown hopes that through education, advocacy, and support, Conscious Moms can change this narrative. Their vision statement, “Cultivating a community of kindness and awareness for moms,” reflects this commitment.
Community programs and upcoming events
To put their mission into action, Conscious Moms offers a variety of programs. They host monthly support groups, now expanded to two locations: the Dream Center with Empower 225 on the third Thursday of every month and a new partnership with Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge on the third Wednesday of each month.
The organization also plans to help families in a tangible way during the holiday season. On December 13th, Conscious Moms will participate in a “Christmas Clubhouse” event, sponsored by Empower 225, where they will distribute pre-made frozen meals and crockpots to 100 families. Brown shared that meal preparation was highlighted as a top struggle by surveyed moms, and this initiative aims to alleviate that daily stress.
“You don’t get a handbook on how to be a mom. You figure it out as you go, and it can be overwhelming,” Brown explained. “We want to provide practical support so that moms can have one less thing to worry about.”
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Getting involved
Conscious Moms’ mission is built on the support and involvement of the community. For those interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more, visit their website at consciousmomsla.org or connect via email and social media.
Artie Brown’s message is clear: Mothers deserve a community that sees them, supports them, and acknowledges the weight they carry. With Conscious Moms, she hopes to create a kinder, more empathetic space for all moms.
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