Did you know that Postpartum Depression and Anxiety is
a leading mental illness in new parents!?
Join our FREE Mom to Mom Peer Support Online Groups!
Spanish Group: Every Monday at 7:00 pm
English Group: Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm
To join, please email us at
Women face unique physiological demands from pregnancy, labor and delivery, and recovery, while also typically doing most of the child-rearing and housework. New mothers run an increased risk of developing Postpartum Depression and Anxiety through exposure to chronic stress, decreased social support, and the fast pace of modern life.
Many women enter motherhood without a support system in place.
Developmental scientists consider parenthood one of the biggest transitions in life—one that changes the brains, endocrine systems, behaviors, identities, and relationships. Without support, relationships can be strained to the brink, and depression and anxiety can set in.
The effects of Perinatal Mental Health Disorders are wide-reaching. They affect the mother, partner, child, extended family, workplace, community, etc. Perinatal Mental Health Disorders can have a ripple effect on society in addition to their effects on the parent, who is often suffering in isolation and often without information, resources, understanding or help. Some of the societal impacts of PMDs include:
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Breakdowns in marriages/relationships
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Family conflicts
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Interruption of attachment between parent and child.
Studies show that when a child is exposed to conflict in the home a range of issues can later develop, including drug/alcohol addiction, learning difficulties, mental illness, suicide, and delinquency.
Fatherhood is a time of major adjustment in many different ways: one's identity, responsibilities, routines, and relationships may all change. This adjustment period brings stress which, when it builds up, can put dad's mental health at risk.
Since partners don’t experience all the physical changes of pregnancy and childbirth, they may not begin to really feel like a partner until after the baby’s birth. This can be especially true if they are in a same-sex relationship, using a surrogate or adopting.
Often, partners feel like they don’t ‘fit in’ with the pregnancy experience, given that so much of the attention is focused on the pregnant woman. This can be a real struggle for partners, leaving some feeling left out of the experience.
WHO WE ARE
Postpartum Support Center is a community based non-profit organization focused on the well-being of new mothers, fathers/partners, and children, and their support teams.
Our vision is that mothers and families have access to information and resources and are well prepared for parenthood in a supportive community that is free from social stigmas about Perinatal Mental Health Disorders.
PPSC works with hospitals, therapists, local organizations, and other partners to bring our programs to mothers and families in need in our community. We are located in Marin County, CA. Our programs are intended to provide emotional, practical and educational support.
WHAT WE DO
Very often new mothers find it difficult to leave the house and ask for help they need; they lack social support, practical support, and vetted resources, but through our programs, we strive to give them the help they need in a supportive community. We have multiple programs and volunteer opportunities so each individual or group can select the right fit for them.
We provide FREE peer support to new mothers via support groups, phone calls, texts, chats, emails and in person. We also provide referrals and connections to treatment.
Our main programs are Mom to Mom Peer Support Groups, You've Got This Care Packages and Helping Hand Cleaning Certificates. With the help of our passionate volunteers and the support of our generous donors, we strive to give each family the support and resources they need.