Postpartum is a whirlwind of physical healing, bonding with your newborn, navigating breastfeeding, hormones, sleep-exhaustion, and the list goes on and on. Postpartum experiences can vary from woman to woman, and from pregnancy to pregnancy. There are a lot of great resources in the Twin Cities to support new parents who are experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety, and included below are a few of them. Feel free to leave any that are missing in the comments.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I think it also takes a village to care for and support postpartum parents.

The Postpartum Progress site is a wealth of information, including signs of PP anxiety and depression to watch for, and a new parent checklist for maternal mental health. The community that formed Postpartum Progress is amazing and is one place a PP parent can look to for support.

Contacting the PPSM HelpLine is another good place to start. They offer phone, text, or email support.

Most commonly prescribed medications for PPMDs – mainly SSRIs – are considered safe for breastfeeding. If a doctor prescribes something and says that weaning is necessary, or will not prescribe unless breastfeeding is ceased, that should be questioned, and one place to do that is the InfantRisk Center. (806)-352-2519 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central.

Groups:

New Moms Support Group – Park Nicollet Women’s Center
952-993-3307
If you’ve been feeling sad, anxious or overwhelmed since the birth of your baby, you’re not alone. Connect with other new moms at this free drop in support group, facilitated by experienced therapists. Second and fourth Mondays from noon to 12:45 pm.

Allina Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Support Group – Rosalyn
612-863-4770
Located in West St. Paul, this ongoing group offers education and support for women who are experiencing or are at risk for postpartum depression. Mothers are invited to bring their babies to our meetings. The group meets every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and there is free parking and free drop-in child care for older infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. FREE.

Welcome Baby Care – www.welcomebabycare.com
952-942-5657
Practical and emotional support after bringing baby home. Screening for perinatal mood disorders. Focus on reducing stress and maximizing rest and recovery. Online resources, parenting education and breastfeeding assistance.

Psychotherapy & Healing Associates offers weekly Moms Emotional Coping Skills Group teaching skills to better manage your emotions and those of your children, tolerate day-to-day stressors and life events, and better navigate relationships. This skills group is especially helpful for women struggling with depression or anxiety symptoms and/or difficulty managing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, worry, fear, irritability, and anger. To register call PHA at 612-296-3800.

Here is a link to another TCM blog post with general mom’s groups in the Twin Cities, which help foster community with other parents, however, these are not specific to PP mood support. Here is our list of partner groups.

Resource list of counselors: 

Jess Helle-Morrissey, MA, MSW, LGSW
https://www.anamcounseling.com/
612-567-6463

Psychotherapy & Healing Associates, Ltd (PHA Wellness)
https://www.phawellness.com/
612-296-3800
Five convenient locations across the Twin Cities, including one by Lake Calhoun

Wild Tree Psychotherapy

http://wildtreewellness.com/home/

651-212-4920

HCMC Mother-Baby Program
612-873-HOPE
The HCMC Mother-Baby Program offers a range of mental health services to support women and families.

Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota
Click here to search for a provider near you
612-787-PPSM

The Family Development Center

651-337-4227

The Family Development Center has a particular focus and expertise in helping people and families cope with pregnancy and post-partum related issues.

Most importantly, reach out, get help. It takes courage to ask for help when everything feels overwhelming, but it is so worth it. You deserve it!