Get Help Now. Call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7 free confidential support for pregnant and new moms. If you are in mental health distress or have a suicidal crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support.
Trigger Warning: Mentions of mental health distress, self-harm, and suicide.
Find the Support You Need
While each journey to healing from PPD is unique, it is important to know that with support and treatment, recovery is possible. There are many ways someone struggling with PPD can get help.
Explore our simple tips and downloadable resources to help guide you on your journey to healing:
Ask for Support
Reach out to your partner, a parent, sibling, or a friend to share how you’re feeling and ask for support.
- Be specific. Do you need a ride to appointments, help with groceries or childcare, or someone to listen?
- If you don’t know where to start, ask for help figuring out what you need, and create a support plan together.
Find a Community
If you don’t have support from family or friends, you can get help in your community from:
- Social service agencies
- Family resource centers
- Faith-based groups
- Virtual or in-person support groups
- Breastfeeding groups
Looking for support in your area? Check out the Postpartum Depression Resources Guide for tips on how to find local resources.
Talk to a Healthcare Professional
Share your symptoms with a trusted healthcare professional. They can connect you with more resources and mental health support. Your individual path to healing might include:
- Therapy: Counseling sessions with a mental health professional can help you understand and cope with your emotions and challenges.
- Medication: In some cases, medicine may be prescribed to help manage PPD symptoms.
- Support groups: Ask your health care professional about support groups for women experiencing PPD.
- If you don’t have a health care professional to connect with, you can find one in your area using the Find a Health Center Tool.
Practice Self-Care
There are things you can do to help yourself feel better in addition to receiving support from friends, family, or a health care professional:
- Talk about your feelings with your partner, supportive family members, and friends.
- Rest as much as you can. Sleep when the baby is sleeping. If this is hard, ask someone you trust to watch the baby so you can rest.
- Don’t try to do everything by yourself. Ask your partner, family, and friends for help with things like childcare, housework, and grocery shopping.
- Make time for breaks, visit friends, or spend time with your partner.
- Talk with other mothers to learn from their experiences.
- When possible, don’t make any major life changes right after giving birth, like moving or starting a new job.
Did you find these tips helpful? Find our full Guide to Identifying Support for Postpartum Depression.
Find Stories of Hope and Healing
Remember, postpartum depression is common and can affect anyone. Seeking support is an important step in the journey to recovery. See how different women found help for PPD.
Supporting Someone with Postpartum Depression
Need practical advice to support your loved one's recovery journey or tips to share with your own support system? Click here to download our Tips for Supporting Someone with Postpartum Depression.