Educational Resources for Providers, Patients, and Families
An environment with ample displays of, and access to, mental health-related information can help to reduce stigma and empower women and their families to seek help, while letting women know that they are not alone. Place posters, pamphlets, and other materials throughout your offices.
All new prenatal patients and their families, or other members of the patient’s support system should be proactively provided with education so that they are aware of signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Having these conversations early in the pregnancy and again in the early postpartum period can decrease stigma, normalize screening and detection, and encourage women to discuss any mental health concerns.
Provider, Patient, and Family Resources
Provider Resources
ACOG
- Clinical Practice Guideline 4: Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Clinical Practice Guideline 5: Treatment and Management of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Coding for Perinatal Depression Screening and Treatment
Women’s Preventive Services Initiative
State Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs: Clinicians can call their state perinatal psychiatry access program with questions about the diagnosis and management of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Some programs also provide mental health resources and referrals. Visit the program’s website to find out if your state has a program.
Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line: available to all clinicians throughout the U.S. Call (877) 499-4773 or visit the website to schedule a 1:1 consultation by phone with a perinatal psychiatry expert.
American Medical Association Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) Collaborative
- Combating A Crisis By Integrating Mental Health Services And Primary Care: ACOG President, Dr. Iffath Hoskins, joined the presidents of fellow BHI Collaborative member organizations to publish a column in Health Affairs about providing treatment of mental health conditions in the primary care setting.
- Webinars: Integrating Mental Health Into OB Practice and Dismantling Stigma Around Behavioral Health Conditions and Treatment
Patient Resources
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential support, resources, and referrals from professional counselors to pregnant and postpartum individuals facing mental health challenges 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Counselors offer support in English and Spanish and interpreter services are available in 60 additional languages. Call (833) 852-6262.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States by calling or texting 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
ACOG
Mental health information that includes depression, anxiety, and finding support.
- Anxiety and Pregnancy: Learning the Symptoms and Finding Help Infographic
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
National Institutes of Health: Moms’ Mental Health Matters
Order free copies or download the PDF of materials, including posters, tear pads, and postcards. All materials are FREE and available in English and Spanish.
Postpartum Support International
Patient Resources (discussion tool, posters, DVD, brochures)
Download and print materials for free or order copies (charges apply). All materials are available in English and Spanish.
Helpline: (800) 944-4773
Text (800) 944-4773 (English) or (971) 203-7773 (Spanish)
Contact this non-emergency helpline for support, information, or referrals to postpartum mental health providers. The helpline is open 7 days per week. Leave a confidential message at any time, and a volunteer will return your call or text as soon as possible. PSI also offers online support group meetings to connect with other pregnant and postpartum women. You also can join PSI’s weekly Chat with an Expert.