What are perinatal mental health conditions?

Perinatal mental health conditions include depression, anxiety, rage, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum, sometimes called the perinatal period. Did you know that, according to Postpartum Support International, perinatal mental health conditions like depression and anxiety affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men? These statistics only include the people who asked for help when they did not feel like themselves emotionally. Many more parents suffer in silence.

Expectant and new parents that have a history of depression or anxiety are more likely to develop a perinatal mental health condition. On the other hand, the perinatal period may be the first time that someone notices signs that something is not right.

Perinatal mental health in New Jersey

Untreated perinatal mental health conditions can have long-term effects on the mother and baby. For this reason, New Jersey law requires postpartum depression screening for birthing individuals before they leave the hospital or birthing center. Screening is also required at the first few postpartum visits. Additionally, the law requires that prospective and new parents (and their families if available) receive education on some of the signs of postpartum depression (PPD) and how to access help.

With funding from the New Jersey Department of Health, Central Jersey Family Health Consortium (CJFHC) offers the New Jersey Postpartum Resources and Support Network. We provide emotional support, information regarding support groups for new parents and other resources, and referral to counseling services if desired. All services are provided free of charge. (We do not, however, provide behavioral health counseling directly.) We also provide grief support after perinatal loss. Bilingual staff members are available for those who speak Spanish. Phone interpretation services for other languages is also available.

We can help

If you are pregnant or a new parent and are not feeling like yourself emotionally, please contact the Program Manager at (732) 937-5437 ext. 179 or PMAD@CJFHC.org to begin your journey to feeling more like yourself again.

Resources

• Information & Referral Hotline (NJ only): 800-328-3838 option #2 (live answered weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm)
• Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)
• National Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 988
• Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net;
  • Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) #1 En Español or #2 English
  • Text in English: 800-944-4773
  • Text en Español: 971-203-7773

Please contact the Program Manager at (732) 937-5437 ext. 179 or PMAD@CJFHC.org with any questions.