STMA Postpartum Mental Health Resources
This information is provided by the Postpartum Mental Health Workshop held in Monticello, MN on August 19 and 26, 2019. Click HERE for more information and to secure tickets.
Did you know that 1 in 5 moms will experience a postpartum mood disorder? That means, if you know four other moms, one of you most likely has been through or is currently experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or psychosis. Postpartum mental health impacts ALL of us, and it’s not talked about enough.
The following info and list of local mental health resources are provided by my dear friend, Ashley—an Otsego mom who dealt with postpartum depression and suicidal thoughts after the birth of her daughter. Ashley is a speaker at the Postpartum Mental Health Workshop coming up later this month. She also writes about imperfect motherhood and mental health on her blog, Everybody’s Fed, Nobody’s Dead.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
Once considered “postpartum depression,” the acronym PMAD now encompasses a range of disorders from pregnancy through the postpartum period. Though treatment is still often the same or similar, medical professionals are becoming more educated on disorders such as postpartum anxiety, perinatal OCD, and postpartum psychosis.
You can learn more about the different postpartum mood disorders at Postpartum Support MN and Postpartum Support International.
Postpartum Support MN estimates that nearly 80% of new moms experience mood swings and sadness in the first few weeks after birth, which is referred to as the “baby blues.” It’s important to monitor these symptoms, but they should lighten and/or disappear without any medical assistance within 3 weeks.
If symptoms persist or get worse, you could be suffering from a postpartum mood disorder.
If you think you might be suffering from a mood disorder, Postpartum Support MN and Mental Health America provide online assessments that can determine if you should seek help.
It won’t go away on its own.
If your symptoms have remained the same or gotten worse, even if it’s a few months postpartum, it’s important to get help immediately.
The first step is to discuss how you’re feeling with your doctor. Your healthcare provider should discuss options with you for treatment, usually in the form of medication and talk therapy. Both of these treatments can be beneficial, as well as additional forms of treatment, such as support groups and psychiatrists. It’s also important to find support through family and friends, as these people will cheer you on and hold you accountable.
Local support is available.
Below is a detailed list of postpartum mental health services in the STMA-area. While this list is a great resource, it can sometimes be hard to take that first step in asking for help.
If you’re not sure how to get help, or you’d like to learn more about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, consider attending the upcoming Postpartum Mental Health Workshop, held August 19 and 26 at the Monticello Community Center.
The two-night event will cover the different mood disorders in-depth, as well as how to talk to your doctor and family about your mental health, and you’ll leave with resources from the entire Minneapolis area. This workshop isn’t just for new moms; if you’re pregnant, a friend or family member of someone with mental illness, a spouse, or just someone looking for education and support, you’re invited.
Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets today.
– STMA Postpartum Mental Health Resources –
Outpatient Programs:
Nystrom & Associates, LTD – Otsego Clinic
This mother-baby program provides a supportive place for moms to learn about coping with postpartum depression, anxiety, and overall stress, as well as how to bond with your baby. Reclining chairs are provided and babies up to a year old may attend with their moms. Call: 763.746.9492 and ask about the Mother-Baby Intensive Outpatient Program
Central Minnesota Mental Health Center
CMMHC serves central Minnesota with multiple locations, including Elk River, Monticello, and Buffalo, with additional services available in St. Cloud. Outpatient programs, day treatment, and psychiatry are all available, as well as a crisis response team, rehabilitation, and family services. Call their business office at 320.202.2000 to find out what your local clinic has to offer.
Specialty Counseling Services:
Healing Moments Counseling
Though not strictly for postpartum care, Healing Moments Counseling of Monticello offers support for everything from postpartum depression to pregnancy loss, even offering Pregnancy & Infant Loss Retreats and grief groups. Each provider has a detailed bio and email address listed, so don’t hesitate to reach out, share what you’re looking to gain through therapy, and ask if they would be a good fit for you. You can also call or email through the contact page.
General Counseling Services:
Many providers offer support for women’s depression, and the treatment is identical or similar to postpartum depression treatment. Therefore, some women feel comfortable speaking with therapists who don’t necessarily have experience with postpartum mental health. Though these clinics below don’t list “postpartum support” as a specialty, individual therapists might have more experience than others in that area. It never hurts to call a clinic and specify what you’d like in a provider, and a short consultation could help you make the right choice.
Solutions Counseling
Solutions Counseling has a large team of state-licensed professionals and provides individual, child, and family therapy. You can check out their services here and contact them to schedule an appointment here.
Genuine Therapy Center
Genuine Therapy Center provides individual, family, and couples counseling in Monticello and surrounding communities. Give them a call at 763.712.1903 and visit their website for a list of current providers.
Bridging Hope Counseling
With offices in Rogers and Buffalo, Bridging Hope offers a wide variety of counseling services and support groups. Click here to see a list of providers and call 763.291.5505 to schedule an appointment.
Hardy & Stephens Counseling
Hardy and Stephens Counseling is a group practice with a Christian perspective. They are located in Elk River, and you can schedule an appointment by calling 763.633.5111.
Pathways Psychological Services
Located in Elk River, Pathways Psychological Services has a team of trained counselors ready to offer support from a Christian world-view. Visit their contact page to reach them by email, or give them a call at 763.525.8590.
Individual Providers:
These specialists are verified by Psychology Today and have listed “Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum” under the list of issues they cover. This does not guarantee experience with patients suffering from postpartum mood disorders. It is up to you to decide if a provider is a good fit, and contacting a provider directly to ask about their experiences and education can help you make the right choice.
Dan Schmoyer, MA, M.Ed, LSC, LPCC
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Christine Cheryl Junod, Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
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Jennifer Doeden, MA, LMFT
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Carol Dobson, MDiv, LAMFT
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Jennifer Knapp, MS, LMFT
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Support Groups:
Support groups often run seasonally for a few months at a time. In the fall, more support groups will be added, and you’re always encouraged to check online or call local counseling offices to ask about openings and new classes.
Adult Women DBT Skills Group
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Anxiety and Stress Management for Women
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Crisis Numbers/Hotlines:
If this is a medical emergency, please call 911.
- Sherburne County Crisis Line: 800.635.8008
- National Postpartum Depression Hotline: 1.800.PPD.MOMS
- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1.800.SUICIDE
- NAMI Crisis Text Line: Text “MN” to 741741
Warmlines:
- Mental Health MN Warmline:
- Call: 877.404.3190
- Text: “Support” to 85511
- NAMI Minnesota Parent Warmline:
- Email: parent.resources@namimn.org
Helplines:
- Mental Health MN Helpline:
- Phone: 800.862.1799
- Email: helpline@mentalhealthmn.org
- Postpartum Support MN:
- Phone: 612.787.7776
- Email: PPSMhelpline@gmail.com
– Outside of STMA –
PSI Online Support Meetings
Postpartum Support International provides weekly support meetings for general perinatal mood disorders, as well as support groups for military moms. Sign up for free at Support Groups Central.
Hennepin Healthcare Mother-Baby Program
The Mother-Baby Program at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis offers support to pregnant women and families with children ages 0-5 years old. Their Perinatal Outpatient Program meets 2 hours a day, 3 days a week, for 8 – 12 weeks, and focuses on managing emotions. The Mother-Baby Day Hospital, only the 4th in the nation, is a partial hospitalization program that meets 5 hours a day, 4 days a week, for about 4 weeks. Call the Mother-Baby HopeLine at 612.873.4673 to learn more.
Help is out there.
If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. Reach out to a helpline, make an appointment with your doctor, attend the Postpartum Mental Health Workshop, and be honest with your friends and family about what you’re going through. There is hope.
 Ashley McKeown blogs about imperfect motherhood and mental health. Her blog, Everybody’s Fed, Nobody’s Dead, reaches moms worldwide through her honesty and humor. When not furiously typing, she is often found at Chick-Fil-A, binge-watching Gilmore Girls, or bribing her toddler with suckers. Ashley resides in Otsego with her husband and daughter. |
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