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Maternal Mental Health

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a free and confidential service that provides support for pregnant and postpartum people with mental health concerns. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

1 in 5 women experience mental health issues during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. Disorders include perinatal depression (which includes postpartum depression), anxiety, OCD, and psychosis. Signs that you may need help include:

  • Feeling unusually sad, angry, or moody,
  • Having strong feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness;
  • Recurrent, unwanted intrusive thoughts about the baby, or
  • Thoughts of harming the baby. 

Treatment is available - start by making an appointment with a health care provider. This could be a primary care doctor or a mental health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental disorders (for example, a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker). A health care provider will examine you and talk to you about treatment options and next steps, including options if you are pregnant or nursing. 

Source: Anxiety and Depression Association of America. May 2023. Retrieved from  https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/unexpected-ocd-postpartum 

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