Depression During and After Pregnancy

Here are resources to find help and learn more about depression during and after pregnancy.

Find Help

HHS.Gov: Health Assistance Programs for Pregnant Women, Mothers, and Children. Hotline number to help pregnant women and mothers with newborns find free or low-cost services in their state for themselves and their babies. Telephone: (800) 311-BABY (311-2229); (800) 504-7081 (Spanish).
Postpartum Support International (PSI): Get Help. Find state and local PSI support coordinators, support groups, telephone support, and local events for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and their families. Includes specialized contacts for dads, military families, and families who speak Spanish or Arabic.
Also see the Community Services Locator: An Online Directory for Finding Community Services for Children and Families.

Learn More

KEY RESOURCE Postpartum Support International (PSI). Information for women and their families and friends about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatments. Contact information for state and local support groups. Free weekly phone chats led by informed and caring professionals. A helpline in English and Spanish for information, encouragement, and local resources.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Depression Among Women. Information about depression symptoms, risk factors, and treatments and a checklist to help you talk to your doctor.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): Taking Care of Both of You. Information about postpartum depression and symptoms, talking to your doctor, treatment, and finding a support group.
March of Dimes (MOD). Information in English and Spanish about postpartum depression.
MedEd PPD Postpartum Depression Resource. Information about postpartum depression in English and Spanish. Features an online diagnostic test, a symptoms checklist, tips for choosing a mental health professional, personal stories, and answers to frequently asked questions from experts in the field.
MedlinePlus: Postpartum Depression. Links to information in English and Spanish about postpartum depression. Presents a bilingual fact sheet about emotional changes after having a baby. The fact sheet is written in English on one side. The other side is written in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Marshallese, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, or Vietnamese.
Pacific Post Partum Support Society. Information about postpartum depression, services, publications, videos, and a blog. Includes a story about a woman's journey of becoming a mother, her struggles, and ways she found support.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). 2006. Depression During and After Pregnancy: A Resource for Women, Their Families, and Friends. Rockville, MD: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). [Booklet]. Available in English and Spanish.

Learn more about depression during and after pregnancy and medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Need more information? Use the collection of resources that NCEMCH staff have put together for you and your family.

Depression During and After Pregnancy: Family Resource Brief, 2nd ed. (July 2013). (Updated: July 2014, May 2017).

Author: Susan Brune Lorenzo, M.L.S., NCEMCH; Breanne C. Wilhite, B.S.
Contributors: Beth DeFrancis, M.L.S., NCEMCH; Tracy Lopez, M.S.L.S., NCEMCH.
Reviewers: Michelle LaRue, M.D., National Alliance for Hispanic Health; Shree Mohanty, M.A., M.S., R.D., L.D., Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Region V; Olivia K. Pickett, M.A., M.L.S., NCEMCH; Anna Rough Grignon, M.A., M.E.S., CityMatCH.
Editor: Ruth Barzel, M.A., NCEMCH.