Resources

 

 

CRISIS PHONE LINE: 

1-800-584-3578 

Call to be immediately connected.

​

CRISIS TEXT LINE:

Text "HOME" to 741741

Text to be immediately connected.

 

Perinatal Support Washington 

WARM LINE:

1-888-404-7763 

Call or text for peer or professional support.

Call will be returned in 1-12 hrs.

 

Whatcom County Resource Guide

Click title above to view local resources!

​

Perinatal Support Washington 

https://perinatalsupport.org/  

 

"Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA) is a statewide non-profit committed to shining a light on perinatal mental health to support all families and communities. We believe all parents should receive appropriate, timely, and culturally relevant care from conception to baby's first birthday.

 

Our toll-free telephone support line, the "Warm Line", has been operating since 1991, providing peer support to parents in need. We also offer free and low-cost new parent support groups, training and consultation for health care providers, and education and advocacy. We do all of this with the help of our dedicated staff, board members, and dozens of volunteers." - PS-WA website

​

​

Postpartum Support International 

https://www.postpartum.net/  

​

"Postpartum Support International (PSI) was founded in 1987 by Jane Honikman in Santa Barbara, California. The purpose of the organization is to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional changes that women experience during pregnancy and postpartum. Approximately 15% of all women will experience postpartum depression following the birth of a child. Up to 10% will experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy. When the mental health of the mother is compromised, it affects the entire family.

 

PSI headquarters is located in Portland Oregon and has members all over the world, including volunteer coordinators in every one of the United States and in more than 36 other countries. PSI disseminates information and resources through its volunteer coordinators, website and annual conference. Its goal is to provide current information, resources, education, and to advocate for further research and legislation to support perinatal mental health." - PSI website

​

 

The Blue Dot Project 

https://www.thebluedotproject.org/  

​

"TheBlueDot was created by Peggy O’Neil Nosti, a mom who suffered from postpartum anxiety with her third child who wanted to find a way to let other moms know they were not alone. Peggy created a subtle image of a blue dot and a silver lining to illustrate hope. [Its] purpose is:

• Raise awareness of maternal mental health disorders,

• Proliferate the blue dot as the symbol of solidarity and support,

• Combat stigma and shame" - The Blue Dot Project website

​

 

2020 Mom 

https://www.2020mom.org/  

​

"2020 Mom has issued a national call to action that sets forth an aggressive new path for solving what some have called one of the biggest public health concerns of our time: the silent maternal mental health crisis impacting up to 20% of expecting and new moms. We serve as a catalyst for policy and systems change by building nationwide partnerships with dedicated stakeholders, pursuing advocacy opportunities, providing training and tools, and promoting recommendations for hospitals, insurers and providers." - 2020 Mom website

​

​

Mom Genes Fight PPD 

https://www.momgenesfightppd.org/  

​

"Your mom genes are unique to you. But there are aspects of your DNA that are shared with other women. By analyzing that, we hope to find what moms with PPD have in common at a genetic level.

It just so happens saliva samples are the easiest, least invasive way to collect a reliable DNA sample for us to study. And the best part - you can provide it from the comfort of your home. After you download the app and take the survey to confirm you qualify, we’ll mail you a spit kit. It’s easy, secure, sanitary and safe. Once you complete the test, you’ll mail it back and we’ll get to work.

​

In order to be successful, we need over 100,000 DNA samples - collected as saliva through spit kits - from mothers who have been affected by PPD. At that scale, we’ll have a statistically viable amount of DNA to draw conclusions, enabling better treatments to be developed - and one day, maybe even a cure." - Mom Genes Fight PPD website

​

​

​

Mom & Mind Podcast with Dr. Kat 

https://drkaeni.com/category/podcast/  

​

Mom & Mind is an outstanding podcast, providing over 175+ episodes focused on maternal health. A great resource for conversations on PMAD's. Well worth a listen!

​

"The goal of this podcast to put all of this info out in the open. There’s no need to hide these very human experiences…so many people deal with these struggles. So, we get into real life stories of moms, dads and family AND we will talk with experts, leaders and advocates in the field of maternal mental health and maternal health. You deserve to be informed!" - Mom & Mind website

​

​

​

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts

By Karen Kleiman, MSW 

​

"Over 90 percent of new mothers will have scary, intrusive thoughts about their baby and themselves. What if I drop him? What if I snap and hurt my baby? Mothering is so hard. I don't know if I really want to do this anymore. Gosh, I'm so terrible for thinking that! Yet for too many mothers, those thoughts remain secret, hidden away in shame that make you feel even worse. But here's the good news: you CAN feel better!

 

Author Karen Kleiman, coauthor of the seminal book This Isn't What I Expected and founder of the acclaimed Postpartum Stress Center, comes to the aid of new mothers everywhere with a groundbreaking new source of hope, compassion, and expert help. Good Mothers Have Scary Thoughts is packed with world-class guidance, simple exercises, and nearly 50 stigma-busting cartoons from the viral #speakthesecret campaign that help new moms validate their feelings, share their fears, and start feeling better. Lighthearted yet serious, warm yet not sugary, and perfectly portioned for busy moms with full plates, Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts is the go-to resource for moms, partners, and families everywhere who need help with this difficult period." - Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts book

​

​

​

Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression 

By Teresa Wong  

​

"In this intimate and moving graphic memoir, Teresa Wong writes the story of her struggle with postpartum depression in the form of a letter to her daughter Scarlet. Equal parts heartbreaking and funny, Dear Scarlet perfectly captures the quiet desperation of those suffering from PPD and the profound feelings of inadequacy and loss. Dear Scarlet is a poignant and deeply personal journey through the complexities of new motherhood, offering hope to those affected by postpartum depression, as well as reassurance that they are not alone." - Dear Scarlet book

​

​