As moms, our mental health is something we often overlook. We are so busy making sure everyone else is fine that we tend to just power through and tell ourselves, "Oh, it'll get better" or "It's just this season of life" or "It's like this for every mom." A lot of us are quietly struggling with our emotions.
There's postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, moms who have anxiety, moms with addiction issues, and moms who are grieving. There are single moms and moms who are just new to the whole parenting thing and feel as if they need somewhere to turn.
The reality is, it doesn't always get better. You shouldn't just have to get by in emotional survival mode. Resources exist that can help you get your mental and emotional health in check.
We've gathered 20 of the most useful resources to help moms struggling with these issues because we know that sometimes it just doesn't feel like you even have the time to figure it out all yourself. Facebook groups, helplines, and counseling resources are available from many of these organizations. Asking for help is OK, and we definitely encourage it.
Mom's Mental Health Matters on Facebook
The Mom's Mental Health matters page on Facebook is a place for moms hoping to keep their mental health in check, to connect and share resources, to gain information, and to receive encouragment. No matter what stage of parenting you're in, you'll be able to learn from and relate to a lot of the content shared in this space.
Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line is one of the OG resources for people seeking outside support for their mental health, whether in crisis or not. People can text the line to be connected immediately to a crisis counselor who is ready to help. Just text HOME to 741741.
Pregnancy Loss Support Program
Pregnancy loss is, unfortunately, something that lots of women experience, often in silence. The mental impact can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Pregnancy Loss Support Program is a site dedicated to parents dealing with this situation and lists resources based on whatever support a parent might need, including group therapy and events or recommendations for counselors.
Local hospital programs
Local hospitals are a great source of accessible and affordable mental health care for parents. In New York, for example, the hospital system has a free 90-minute weekly mothers' group that connects moms with one another.
Check on Mom
Check on Mom is a relatively new service that helps postpartum moms navigate their mental health struggles by identifying and prioritizing the demands of new motherhood. It features a maternal mental health wellness plan, a symptom checker tool, and a doctor discussion guide to help guide any chats with a physician about your concerns. You'll also have access to tools that will help you build your mental health support network.
Single Parents: Surviving Single Parenthood Facebook support group
The Single Parents: Survivin Single Parenthood Facebook group is a way to vent, to get advice, and to feel less alone on this journey. Aimed at both single moms and single dads, it's a great free and virtual place to seek support.
The Motherhood Center
The Motherhood Center is there for all moms, offering support to get through hard times. Per the site: "Whether you are looking for a support group for new mothers, individual therapy, or a day program for moderate to severe PMADs, The Motherhood Center offers something to every woman making the transition to parenthood."
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum depression, or PPD, is a mental illness that's common among mothers who have just given birth. It has been stigmatized for so long but is getting more awareness. That said, moms still need support during that time, and Postpartum Support International is geared specifically toward treating PPD. It connects moms to counselors and offers a text and call line.
Alliance of Hope for suicide loss survivors
It's not only new moms or moms who have just given birth who may need support in their lives. Moms who have lost loved ones or their children to suicide can get the support they need from the organization Alliance of Hope. It provides forums, blogs, and support groups to those looking to connect with others who have had similar experiences.
BetterHelp
Sometimes moms don't have time to find a therapist in their area and take off work or make the time to get someone to watch their kids to get into therapy. That's OK. BetterHelp is an organization that provides online counselors to those interested in talking to someone.
Hope for the Day
Some people find solace from their mental struggles by talking to others, and some look to physical activity or relaxation to manage theirs. For the moms in the latter group, Hope for the Day provides resources and events, such as a yoga and mindfulness event, to give people the support that works best for them.
Shine app
For support that's affordable and easily accessible, especially for busy moms, there's a free app called Shine that focuses on calming people who have anxiety. There are also mindfulness and meditation exercises within the app. It's just one way to fit in some time to take a deep breath and settle the mind.
Headspace
Headspace is another free app geared toward people who have some time to carve out for themselves each day but need to do it at their own pace. It has a bunch of different mindfulness and meditation exercises that target different issues moms may face, from falling asleep to focusing or just needing help waking up and starting the day.
The Bridge Club
Mental health isn't just about therapy or even specific conditions like anxiety and depression, although those are main aspects of it. Sometimes it's about managing diseases that manifest because of brain chemistry gone awry, such as addiction. For women and gender nonconforming people looking to manage their sobriety or to learn more about it, The Bridge Club offers virtual groups in many different cities across the US.
Penn Foundation
The Penn Foundation puts mental health care at the forefront of its work and offers several different resources for those seeking help. It can connect people with counselors, group support, or even someone to help with goal setting.
National Parent Helpline
Who knew there was a National Parent Helpline to provide assistance in a way that parents in the past never had? Now we all do! Moms, dads, and guardians can call the helpline any time (1-855-4A-PARENT) to seek help for any kind of parenting-related struggle they might be facing.
Mental Health America
Mental Health America is an organization seeking to "promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal." It connects people to resources they might need and offers different support for different issues.
Moodfit
Moodfit sounds like a workout for the mind, and that's kinda the point. It's an app that can help people manage their mental health journey whether alone or alongside other forms of treatment. It offers mood journals, breathing exercises, medication tracking, and more.
Mothers' Mental Health
Mothers' Mental Health is a program run by Florida State University that focuses on improving mental health in women. The site provides educational resources as well as connections to outside support.
Beyond My Battle
Beyond my Battle is another organization with a mission to "Reducing the stress of serious illness, rare disease, and disability through emotional support and educational resources rooted in mindfulness, awareness, and compassion." The site has resources such as online groups, podcasts, and events.
