Family & Friends
1 in 5 women will experience a maternal mental health complication. It is the most common complication of having a baby.
If you are reading this page it means you have a loved one who may be having a hard time with a maternal mental health complication like depression or anxiety. It is important to know you can play an important part in helping her to feel better. Please know that how she is feeling is not her fault.
Below you will learn the best things to say to your loved one, as well as what to watch out for, and what to do if you notice she isn’t getting better. You will also learn what you can do right now to help her feel better. You can always request a Mammha Care Coordinator to connect with you if you should have any questions, or you should need your own support.
Say This, Not That
Sometimes without knowing it, we can say things that may make the person we love feel worse. Here there are two lists, one with common things people say that can make a mother who is feeling anxious or depressed feel worse and another list with things you can say to help your loved one feel heard, safe, and loved.
What to Watch Out For
If you notice any of the following, please reach out to her provider or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
988
If you feel this is a medical emergency please call 9-1-1.
What You Can Do Right Now
Sit with her.
Many women don’t want to be alone. If she feels like she doesn't want to be alone, try to find ways for her to have someone with her. This could be family or friends, a postpartum doula, or a baby nurse.
Tell her it’s not her fault.
This is the last thing she ever wanted to happen or to feel. Let her know that this isn’t her fault and that she is not alone. You can learn about the risk factors that made her more at risk by visiting this page.
Help her connect.
Let her know there are virtual support groups going on every week. Offer to attend one with her if she is nervous. Visit this page to learn more about support groups taking place. You can also help encourage her to find someone to talk with like a trained clinician. You can visit this page to learn more about how to help her access care. You can always reach out to PSI for your own help in directing her or click below to connect with a Mammha Care Coordinator.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 988 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).