Maternal Mental Health Resources
You are not alone.
Mental health is just as important as food, shelter, and clothing. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. For some, this is a new concern that is triggered after the birth of a baby. For others, although they have been assisted with mental wellness concerns in the past, new questions arise after the birth of a baby. Whatever you may have concerns about, there are different ways to get help. Don’t wait- you are worth it.
For some mothers, counseling is enough to get back to feeling more like themselves. Others have been helped with the addition of medication. If you and your provider are considering a medication, let them know you are breastfeeding and ask your baby's doctor if that medication is safe for your baby. There are many that are safe to take with breastfeeding. Many moms have also found meditation, talking with an understanding friend, light exercise like walking, and eating healthy foods are helpful. Here are some other tips: 101 Fun Coping Skills
If you are having recurrent thoughts of self-harm or harm to another, seek help immediately-
call 911 or 988- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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Baby Blues are experienced by about 75% of moms.
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It lasts from a few days, up to two weeks.
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Symptoms include: sadness, poor concentration, irritability, impatience, extreme fatigue (beyond what is common for a new mom), mild anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.
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It may only last a few minutes each day or it may last a few hours. Each mom is different.
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Emotional support from family and friends and help with the baby can be enough to improve a mom’s outlook. Many find just talking about it helps, too.
Baby Blues
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Postpartum Depression is experienced by 14% of mothers.
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Sometimes symptoms don’t occur until many months after the birth.
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These symptoms include:
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sudden mood changes,
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eating too little or too much,
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feeling very sad and/or anxious,
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feelings of worthlessness,
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lack of pleasure in things that you previously enjoyed,
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feeling disconnected from the baby and/or your significant other,
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sleeping a lot less or a lot more.
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Postpartum Depression
24-hour Crisis Lines
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Call or text-
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
La Línea Nacional de Asistencia a la Salud Mental Materna es gratuita, confidencial y está disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, en inglés y español.
Talbert House
Crisis Line
text “Talbert” to 839363
University of
Cincinnati Health Center Mobile Crisis Unit
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Line
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Live chat- 988lifeline.org
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TTY Users: 711 then 1-800-273-8255
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988 La Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis.
24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
Lifeline ofrece 24/7, servicios gratuitos en español, y no es necesario hablar inglés si usted necesita ayuda.
National Hopeline Network, Suicide & Crisis Hotline
Hopeline provides support with trained counselors through this national hotline to prevent suicide.
Non-crisis Help
United Way Helpline
Serving Hamilton, Clermont and Brown Counties in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, Campbell and Grant counties in Kentucky.
Speak to a trained professional who can connect you to essential community services, a gateway to help. Certified information and referral specialists are trained to listen, engage, ask questions, assess your needs and connect you to a community resource from a large database of local providers. You can also search the database on your own here.
Postpartum
Support International HelpLine
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800-944-4773 English and Español
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Text “Help” to 800-944-4773
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Text en Español: 971-203-7773
The Loveland Foundation
Moving Beyond Depression
Currently being offered to those enrolled in Every Child Succeeds® (ECS), Healthy Families America®, Nurse-Family Partnership®, Early Head Start, and HRSA Healthy Start.
Kentucky’s Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) also offers this service.
Provides a therapist for mothers who receive 15 weekly treatment sessions and a booster session one month following the 15th session.
Postpartum Depression Support
A Lighter Shade of Blue-
Support Group
A local Cincinnati supportive group of women who have suffered from postpartum mood disorders.
The Online PPMD Support Group
Offers info, support, and assistance to those with Postpartum Mood Disorder (PPMD). Provides online:
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Discussion forums
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Peer support
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Real time chat
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Postpartum depression information
Pacific Postpartum Support Society
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Phone or text 604-255-7999
Support by
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Phone
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Text
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Virtual groups
Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms (POEM)
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Mom-to-Mom Support Line
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Peers that understand, help with access to specialized counseling, and/or referrals to support services.
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Mentoring Program
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Online Support Groups:
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Pregnant and Postpartum Moms & Birthing Persons
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RISE: Support Group for Black and African American Moms
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Hispanic Pregnant and Postpartum Moms & Birthing Persons
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Perinatal loss
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Postpartum Support International
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800-944-4773 En Español/English
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Text “Help” to 800-944-4773
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Text en Español: 971-203-7773
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postpartum.net
Provides
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Resources in English and Spanish
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Helpline- call or text
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Support Coordinators
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Chat with an Expert
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Online Meetings
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Peer Mentor Program
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Online directory of qualified perinatal mental health professionals and groups.
Interested in local mom-to-mom breastfeeding support groups? Find them here.