When Joy Feels Heavy: Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder Training
What is a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety or depressive symptoms that start or worsen during pregnancy and/or during the postpartum period. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 1 in 5 birthing persons are impacted by a Maternal Mental Health Condition in the U.S. Additionally, 75% of individuals impacted by Maternal Mental Health Conditions remain untreated, increasing the risk of long-term negative impacts on mothers/birthing people, babies, and families.
In Philadelphia, 45% of birthing persons who suffered a pregnancy-associated death had a documented history of mental health diagnosis (2013-2018). Information on mental health is often missing or underreported so these numbers are likely an underestimation of the true extent.
Who would benefit from the Early Warning Signs training?
Everyone! The goal of the program is to educate all people who may interact with folks who have recently given birth in both professional settings (nurses, home health aids, community outreach specialists, etc.) and personal settings (friends, family members, neighbors). This training session aims to reduce the burden on birthing people and educate their local communities on recognizing the signs & symptoms of a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. By empowering individuals within the “Village” through education and skills, we aspire to improve maternal health outcomes for birthing people in Philadelphia!
Training Overview
This educational session was created in response to pregnancy-related mortality data from the Philadelphia MMRC and national mental health trends. The training aims to educate all individuals who may interact with birthing people and empower community members in both clinical and non-clinical settings to recognize the warning signs of potential mental health concerns and promote care-seeking behavior. This one-hour education session is available virtually or in person and is always co-facilitated by a Clinical Expert and a Lived Experience Expert.
Resources
National Resources
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Read stories from around the world by writers who have survived the aftermath of loss and grief.
Still Standing Magazine is the world’s leading online voice in breaking the silence on child loss — from conception to adulthood, and infertility.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
MHFA teaches the skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to signs of behavioral health challenges or crises.
First Aid is given until appropriate supports are received.
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Text “HOME” to 741741
A free, 24/7 support for those in any type of crisis.
If you text “HOME” to 741741 from anywhere in the United States you will be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor.
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The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.
Available in English and Spanish.
Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).
TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746.
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Postpartum Support International
Anyone can call or text this free helpline to get basic information and support.
In English or en Espanol
1-800-944-4773Text in English
1-800-944-4773Text en Espanol
1-971-203-7773 -
Local Philadelphia Resources
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Suicide & Crisis Hotline
Call 215-686-4420
A 24-hour call center to assist people and their families with behavioral health crises.
Operated by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.
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Philadelphia WARMline
Call 267-867-4381
For those who are not in an immediate crisis situation but just need to talk to someone who “gets it”?
Operated by NAMI | Philadelphia.
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Community Behavioral Health (CBH)
If you're on Medicaid, CBH can help with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
CBH is not a provider, but they will help you arrange and pay for behavioral health services.
CBH Member Services
888-545-2600 -
Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 866-723-3014
A 24-hour call line in Philadelphia to get help for yourself or someone else.
Operated by Women Against Abuse.
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The Postpartum Stress Center provides support and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
Counselors at the Center offer in-person and teletherapy counseling to women, men and couples. They are LGBTQ affirmative.
Call to make an appointment
610-525-7527 -
Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness
The Center is for women's behavioral wellness at all points during life. It is both a patient/client provider and a research facility.
Call to make an appointment
215-573-8886 -
Women's Emotional Wellness Center
This center is for women’s intensive outpatient program (IOP). IOP is for mental health symptoms than require more care than weekly therapy but not hospitalization.
Call or go online to make an appointment.
1-866-225-5654 -
Drexel Mother Baby Connections
The Connections program offers individual and group therapy sessions to help mothers.
Infant care is available during therapy.
Call to make an appointment
215-553-7128 -
The Council helps to connect individuals, couples, and families with therapists and psychiatrists.
They also find people services they can afford, using a sliding scale.
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This program is offered to all Black women regardless of income and access to resources.
The goal is to provide support, education and community during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Reach out online.
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Mental Health & Wellness Support
A new baby brings excitement—and exhaustion!
Becoming a parent is exciting, thrilling, and wonderful. It is also major life-changing event that can come with mental and emotional challenges. The Philly Loves Families team is here to connect you with people and programs that lend mental and emotional support.
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UNITE is a Philadelphia area organization that provides support following the loss of a baby, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth and infant death.
UNITE connects parents to peer-to-peer grief support groups.
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Find tools and resources to support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Philadelphians.