Becoming a parent is often depicted as a joyous and life-affirming event - images of love at first sight, instant bonding, practically a state of euphoria, and purpose. The reality, though, can be far more complex. For many, the perinatal period — the time during pregnancy and the first year postpartum (including infertility and fertility treatments) — can be a challenging emotional and mental landscape to navigate, often made even more challenging when it is not talked about. Even if and when love, bonding, and a sense of purpose are present, mental health during pregnancy and postpartum is too often silenced.