Maternal Mental Health Collaborative
Up to 80 percent of women experience mild changes in their mood during pregnancy and in the first few weeks after having a baby. However, as many as 1 in 5 moms and 1 in 10 dads will suffer from a perinatal mood disorder (PMD). PMDs are more serious than the typical “baby blues.”
The County of Santa Clara Maternal Mental Health Collaborative works in partnership with local providers, organizations, and agencies to provide all women with PMD screening, treatment and referral services during pregnancy and into the first two years after giving birth.
What are PMDs?
The PMD most people know is postpartum depression. But perinatal mood disorders also include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar mood disorders, and postpartum psychosis.
If not treated, these serious illnesses can have severe long-term effects on the mental health of the parent as well as the emotional development of the baby and the well-being of the whole family. There are successful treatment options that can help, including therapy, support groups, and medications.
Who experiences PMD symptoms and when?
Women of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. However, the risk is higher for women of color, women with lower incomes, women with cultural or language barriers, and those with past mental health issues. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after the baby is born.
Where can I find help in Santa Clara County?
County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health can support for individuals and families who are in crisis; considering suicide; or struggling with mental illness, substance use, or both. You can call the Behavioral Health Services Call Center at (800) 704-0900 if you or a family member may be having a mental health crisis.
Supporting Mamas is an organization that has local resources to help, such as therapists, support groups, psychiatrists and more, on their website.
What should I do if I am having thoughts of suicide or of harming myself or my baby?
If you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency, you can call the toll-free Santa Clara County hotline available 24 hours a day at (855) 278-4204, or you can dial 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) officer.
How can I or my agency join the County of Santa Clara Maternal Mental Health Collaborative?
Email the Perinatal Services Coordinator, Meng Fang, at [email protected].
Resources
Postpartum Support International has coordinators in all 50 states and in 40 countries around the world. They offer a toll-free helpline at (800) 944-4773, online support groups, free weekly chats with an expert, as well as educational and training materials.
Helping After Neonatal Death (HAND) is a local organization that offers a free phone line at (888) 908-4263 (HAND) available 24 hours a day and free support groups to help parents, family members, and health care providers cope with the loss of a baby before, during or after birth.
Crisis Text Line is a free and confidential text crisis line available 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741 to chat with a trained mental health crisis counselor.
Next Door Solutions offers a free crisis line available 24 hours a day at (408) 279-2962. Next Door Soultions provides services to prevent and help stop domestic violence in Santa Clara County.
The Blue Dot Project raises awareness of maternal mental health disorders and uses the blue dot as a symbol of unity and support for people with maternal mental health issues. The project also fights the stigma and shame people may feel about these disorders.