By Andrea Watkins, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Andrea Watkins is the owner and CEO of FreedomMind Wellcare and Consulting. She is a nationally recognized physician, wellness and lifestyle coach, guest lecturer, and corporate wellness advocate with a specific focus on the practice of nutritional psychiatry. Dr. Watkins utilizes the treatment approach of gut health to heal psychiatric symptoms from their root causes. She has held several leadership positions to improve quality of care, increase access, and advance the growth of behavioral health programs. She believes that stress management, a balanced lifestyle, and a nutrient-rich diet are essential tools in managing all disease states, including those related to mental health. Dr. Watkins’ treatment approach includes empowering her clients to take ownership and develop a sense of agency as it relates to their health through educational tools, medication management, and psychotherapy.

Over the past few years, there has been a growing awareness of the use of nutrition as a treatment modality for mental health issues. As scientific research continues to explore the relationship between food and brain function, it has become increasingly evident that dietary patterns can influence emotional well-being, cognitive performance, and even the onset and severity of mood disorders. Emerging studies in nutritional psychiatry illustrate that inflammation, often driven by poor dietary habits, may be a significant underlying mechanism in a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety.^1,2 This growing body of evidence offers promising new avenues for addressing mental health disparities, particularly in the perinatal period. In January 2025, Psychiatric News reported that nutrition is now a supported treatment for mental health disorders, and emerging research has found that inflammation is a key source or cause of underlying chronic conditions, including mental health disorders.¹

In a country in which we continue to experience poor mental health outcomes despite industrialized access to health care, it brings to mind our medical position on the application of diet and nutrition for the management and prevention of perinatal illness. The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) ranges from 10% to 15% in modern westernized countries.³ The symptoms of PPD carry a significant impact on the quality of life and health outcomes on the mother, infant, and family as a whole.

Given the deleterious effects of PPD on both the mother and the child, it is an opportune time to develop treatment algorithms that address, treat, and prevent PPD for at-risk mothers. Food as medicine is not a new concept; however, modern-day science has just caught up to this essential paradigm. Studies show that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, leafy greens, and fermented foods can reduce inflammation and support mood regulation.^4,5 A randomized controlled trial found that adults with depressive symptoms who adopted a Mediterranean-style diet supplemented with fish oil experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms and improved mental health quality of life over six months.⁶ How many lives might we save by instituting an anti-inflammatory diet geared toward preventing depression? The time is now, and I look forward to watching medicine, Mother Nature, and science align.

In alignment with this broader shift toward integrative care, APA’s Summer 2025 Maternal Mental Health Webinar Bundle offers a timely educational resource. The series explores the importance of culturally grounded postpartum care and highlights how mindfulness-based strategies, including nutrition, can support birthing people during the postpartum period. Continuing medical education credit is available for eligible participants, making this a valuable opportunity for clinicians to deepen their understanding of holistic approaches to maternal mental health.