08/05/2026
There is a lot in the media right now about maternal mental health and the potential tragic consequences of not receiving adequate care. It is totally understandable if this feels scary to you as a new parent. We want you to know that you are not alone if you are struggling with your mental health and that there are resources available to you.
While postpartum psychosis is relatively uncommon--1-2 out of every 1,000 deliveries, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (depression, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar) are estimated to affect 1 in 5 moms/birthing parents and 1 in 10 dads/non-birthing parents. Symptoms can begin during pregnancy, in the first few weeks after delivery, or months after the arrival of a new baby.
When you welcome a new baby to your family, so much changes, and you have so many new things to worry about. So it can be hard to know if this is just what being a parent is or if you have a treatable mental health condition. Emily Fiorini, LMHC, our First Year of Life group facilitator says that if your worries, thoughts, or sadness make it hard for you to eat, sleep, or engage in everyday tasks, and/or if they are affecting your relationships with loved ones, then you likely would benefit from some treatment or extra support. If this is you or someone you know, please reach out for help.
You can call or text 988 if you are in a mental health crisis, or connect with Postpartum Support International on their hotline or through their app. And if you want some local support, please reach out to Emily at [email protected] or join our First Year of Life group on Thursday mornings at 9:30. (Emily can give you the link for virtual meetings and the day and location of in-person meetings.)
