Resources For Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and PMAD's
According to the research, between 15 and 20% of new moms will experience some sort of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs) after giving birth. PMADs are the most common pregnancy complication. Having a baby can be very isolating and suffering from a mental health problem on top of that can cause even more problems. PMADs might affect a woman’s ability to care for herself and her children. These illnesses are common and treatable.
Signs and Symptoms
Crisis/ Suicide Hotline
Suicide accounts for 5.3% of perinatal deaths, or approximately 1 out of every 19 deaths in pregnant or postpartum women during that time period.
Screening Tools
Mental Health America.net Online screening for depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other mental health disorders
Maternal Mental Health Now- Self-screen toolkit
Edinburgh Scale for Postnatal Depression Easy to use screening tool for postpartum depression used by doctors, nurses, and health professionals
How to Set Up a Postpartum Depression / Anxiety Plan
How to talk to a Mom, by Pooja Lakshmin, MD at the American College of Nurse Midwives DC Affiliate Conference on Women's Health and Wellness in April 2018
Focusing on What You Can Control, Building a Strong Parent-Child Bond, and Managing Postpartum Stress in the Height of COVID, by Emily Griffin
Mother Mag blog post How to Prepare for Postpartum Depression
National Institute of Health Mom’s Mental Health Matters
Postpartum Support Virginia PDF The Postpartum Plan
Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders; Healing Outcomes, by Laura Macone, MSW, LCSW, Doulas of Capitol Hill Client Portal, resource accessible for Doulas of Capitol Hill families (requires password).
PMAD and the Role of the Doula, by Dr. Emma Basch PsyD, Doulas of Capitol Hill blog
Talking with Women about Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, by Laura Macone, MSW, LCSW, Doulas of Capitol Hill Client Portal, resource accessible for Doulas of Capitol Hill families (requires password)
Local Resources
Healthy New Moms- Maryland’s Maternal Mental Health Campaign
Local Mental Health Professionals
Akoma Counseling, Shivonne Odom, LCPC, LPC, NCC, PMH-C
Catalyst Counseling, Laura Macone LCSW, Alexandria, VA
Center for Maternal Wellness NW DC
DC/MD/ VA Guide find a specialist in perinatal mental health
Dr. Emma Basch, PsyD NW DC
George Washington University Five Trimester’s Clinic- low fee medication evaluation and management
Happy Parents Happy Babies, Emily Griffin, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C
Mary’s Center- lower fee therapy and medication
The Spring Project low fee psychotherapy
Washington Anxiety Center SE DC
Local Support Groups
Dr. Emma Basch PsyD NW DC
P.A.C.E Moms groups many small groups throughout the DMV
Postpartum Support Virginia Fairfax and Alexandria
Emily Griffin LCSW NW DC
Mindful Moms private community and support from a licensed perinatal mental health clinician
Online Resources
Climb Out of Darkness The world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental illnesses like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and OCD, postpartum post-traumatic stress, postpartum psychosis, perinatal bipolar mood disorders, and pregnancy depression and anxiety.
National Institute of Mental Health
Postpartum Depression.org Tips for partners, Take a quiz
Postpartum Progress The world’s most widely-read blog dedicated to maternal mental illness.
Postpartum Support International
TED Talk on one woman’s experience and her TED Talk to bring awareness and reduce the stigma of postpartum depression
Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding/ Chestfeeding
LactMed online catalog of medicine and it’s safety rating for breastfeeding/ chestfeeding parents
Reducing stress and anxiety while breastfeeding, by Kim Hawkins Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, Doulas of Capitol Hill blog
SSRI’s, Pregnancy, and Motherhood, by Katie B, Doulas of Capitol Hill blog
For Partners
The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression
Postpartum for Fathers from Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Men for fathers who have postpartum depression
Trainings for Doulas/ Birth Attendants
Mary’s Center DC based trainings
Maternal Mental Health Now “Community Provider Toolkit” pdf download
Maternal Mental Health Now “Online Training”
Postpartum Support International webinars for families and community
Postpartum Support International Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for Women of Color created to fill a gap in support services for professionals and communities of color around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Seleni Includes a free 30 minute training and course bundles
Supplementary Methods
Acupuncture Lavender Retreat SE DC
Fertile Living Alexandria, VA
Flower essence (Bach Rescue Remedy ™) study on use of flower essence to assist in depression treatment
Yoga- published study on the use of yoga for treatment of depression
Research
Sleep and Perinatal Mood Disorders: A critical review
Recent Advances in Understanding Maternal Perinatal Mood Disorders
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Postpartum Depression treatment for Low-income Women of Color
Information on this web site is for educational purposes only. It may provide some self-help relief. However, it should not substitute for a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed mental health professional.
Updated 9/4/2020