How the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Can Support Your Struggle With Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Finding Support For Mothers
When you are struggling with anxiety or depression, either during your pregnancy or after you’ve delivered, it can feel really overwhelming to reach out to someone for support. Postpartum anxiety and depression can feel all-consuming. For many women, there is concern about opening up to someone about how they are feeling over the fear of being judged or due to worries that someone will take their baby away. While not everyone in your family or circle of friends will be supportive of what you are going through, you don’t have to suffer alone in your anxiety and depression.
Postpartum Support International and the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) recently launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. This support line is truly the first of its kind in that it is specifically focused on providing mental health support for moms, and even their partners and families.
Whether you are in need of someone to talk to during your pregnancy, during the postpartum period, or perhaps after a loss, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
The support line is staffed by providers who are licensed and trained in perinatal mental health. These individuals understand the unique challenges you are facing. When you call to speak with someone, you can trust that they are there to provide support and comfort for you – without judgment.
Call or Text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-943-5746
Providers with the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline will provide brief interventions to help support you in the immediate moment, and they can help connect you with additional support services in your community such as a counselor who specializes in working with women experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety, or even local or virtual support groups.
Services provided by the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline are completely free and confidential.
Staff members are able to support English- and Spanish-speaking individuals and help are available in other languages by request. If you don’t feel comfortable calling and speaking with someone, you can also text the number at any time and be connected to a maternal mental health specialist.
Here is what you can expect from the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline:
· Access to professional counselors via phone or text
· Live support and information from trained maternal mental health professionals
· Access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
· Connection to useful resources
· Referrals to support groups both locally and virtually
· Referrals to therapists and counselors who specialize in maternal mental health
· Support from staff who are culturally sensitive and trained in cultural competency
· Access to counselors and staff who speak English and Spanish
· Interpreter services available in 60 different languages
· Ability to talk to someone within a few short minutes when you call
Even if you’ve never opened up to anyone before about how you are feeling, and even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis, you can still call the hotline and receive support and care.
Here are signs you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety or depression:
· Loss of interest in activities you enjoy
· Struggling to concentrate
· Feelings of hopelessness
· Struggling with basic daily tasks
· Constantly worrying about your baby
· Sleeping too much or too little
· Eating too much or too little
· Feeling anxious or nervous often
· Scary thoughts
· Anger or irritability
· Feeling like you aren’t a good mom
· Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
There is no need to be ashamed if you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms.
If you do identify with this list, reaching out to the National Maternal Mental Health Crisis Line is a great way to begin the process of getting help to cope with these feelings.
The hotline is available to anyone throughout the entire United States. So, whether you are stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida, living in Uptown New Orleans, LA, in Colorado Springs, or in Mililani, HI, you can access this support and receive the care you need.
Motherhood, and the journey to get there, are hard enough that you don’t need to suffer from your emotional and mental well-being alone. Contacting the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can be the first step toward getting help to cope with the anxiety and depression you are experiencing. And prioritizing the need to care for yourself is always a positive thing. Therapy for moms can also be a useful resource for you if you need additional support. Whatever you need, please reach out. Your mental health matters too!
Begin Therapy for Moms in Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Colorado
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline can be an invaluable source of support. I understand the issues you face and would be happy to serve as another source of support for you. I offer therapy for moms in the states of Hawaii, Florida, Louisiana, and Colorado. If you are ready to start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consult via phone or video
Start healing from the comfort of home!
Other Services Offered With Ashley Comegys, LCSW
I offer a variety of mental health services for the residents of Colorado, Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana. These services include therapy for anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, trauma, and grief. I also offer online postpartum support, and therapy for military spouses. Learn more by visiting my blog or about page today!
Call or Text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-943-5746