RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — As conversations about mental health continue to gain national attention, experts are urging families and communities to recognize warning signs that may indicate someone is struggling, particularly new mothers and men, two groups facing unique mental health challenges.

September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and recent public discussions surrounding maternal mental health have renewed focus on the importance of early intervention and access to mental health care.

Jillian Amodio, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Moms for Mental Health, said new mothers often receive extensive support during pregnancy and childbirth, but follow-up mental health care can be limited after delivery.

“We focus on the birth. And then after that, mom is sent home and not really checked in on again until six weeks later, and that’s a long time,” Amodio said.

Mental health professionals say postpartum mental health concerns can present differently from person to person. Some warning signs include emotional numbness, fear of being alone, persistent crying, and new or intensified anger.

Amodio said those symptoms should never be dismissed.

“We need to address where that’s coming from and figure out, is this a chemical imbalance? Is this situational? What is making this person feel that way? But we should never ignore it, and we should never minimize it,” she said.

Mental health experts are also highlighting concerns about suicide among men. Nationally, men account for the majority of suicide deaths, and experts say cultural expectations often discourage men from openly discussing emotional struggles.

Dr. Jeff Ditzell, a psychiatrist, said many men have been taught to suppress their emotions rather than seek help.

“As a culture, men have learned to stuff their emotions,” Ditzell said. “Those constraints on expressing emotion can cause a person to reach a breaking point.”

He added that friends and family members should not hesitate to check in when they notice someone may be struggling.

“If you have a concern, ask,” Ditzell said. “They’re going to answer you one way or another.”

Mental health professionals encourage loved ones to watch for significant behavioral changes, including increased alcohol or drug use, withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in activities, and extreme mood swings.

Experts say directly asking someone whether they are thinking about suicide does not increase the risk of self-harm and can be a critical first step in connecting them with support.

North Carolina residents have access to additional crisis resources beyond 988. Every county in the state is served by mobile crisis teams staffed by trained behavioral health professionals who can respond to homes, schools and community settings to assess a person’s safety and determine the appropriate level of care.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently expanded its Mobile Crisis Dispatch system, allowing 988 counselors to connect callers directly with local crisis teams and community-based behavioral health services.

Another resource is The Melanated Space, a mental health practice in Durham that provides culturally responsive therapy and support for Black women navigating life’s challenges.

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