If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the previous episode, I’d love for you to take a listen. In that episode, I share my personal struggles with mental health throughout my motherhood journey.  You can do it before or after this episode and if you listen and think that you’ve had those same thoughts or challenges, please seek help. You are not alone and I am right there with you. I have a list of resources in the description of both of these episodes that can help with your health.

Why are we still talking about mental health? Why does it deserve two episodes back to back? Mental health matters and we are going to do some work to work past the stigma and we’re going to try to be better moms by knowing more and doing better for our own lives and the lives of other moms. Let’s get started.

Resources for those struggling with mental health

Postpartum Support International
http://postpartum.net/
The mission of Postpartum Support International is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide. It is the vision of PSI that every woman and family worldwide will have access to information, social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to childbearing. PSI promotes this vision through advocacy and collaboration, and by educating and training the professional community and the public.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
http://suicidepreventiononlifeline.org/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Institute of Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health/index.shtml The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.

Mother Risk
http://www.motherisk.org/women/index.jsp
Motherisk provides information about medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding to mothers and professionals.

Motherisk Helpline: 1-877-439-2744 (Toll-free)

Sources:
Mental Health By the Numbers
Happiness Helps: Improve Your Mental Health With Positive Affirmations
Untreated Mental Illness