Perinatal Mental Health

The perinatal period of life can exacerbate mental health symptoms. If you need immediate assistance we recommend you call or text the Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) and connect with a counselor at no charge. Services are provided in many languages. TTY Users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746. The MMH Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line.

Individuals in behavioral health crisis should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8.


If you are pregnant or preparing for the addition of a new baby, adjusting to life with a new child, had a baby in the past year, experienced perinatal loss, had an abortion, or are dealing with infertility Mary’s Center is here for you.  

Significant life changes like these can cause tremendous amounts of stress and we want you to know you’re not alone. Reach out to Mary’s Center if you are experiencing:  

  • Difficulty adjusting to a significant life change 
  • Difficulty with your emotions following a difficult or traumatic birth 
  • Difficulty bonding with your baby 
  • Feelings of irritability, sadness, or depression 
  • Perinatal grief/loss 
  • Scary, intrusive thoughts 

If you’re struggling with something you don’t see listed above, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us for additional support.

Our Perinatal Mental Health program is dedicated to supporting people during pregnancy, postpartum, infertility or perinatal loss, adoptive parents, and their families through a variety of resources and services including:  

  • Care coordination 
  • Phone outreach including a brief assessment, educational information, and ways to connect to additional care 
  • Support and education, including free online support groups held in  English  and  Spanish 
  • Therapy and psychiatry  

Contact Us & Make a Referral

Mary’s Center is ready to partner with you on your health journey. Reach out to our Perinatal Mental Health Program Manager today at 202-420-7157.

We are so glad you are here to learn more about our program and make a referral. Referrals we receive here will be responded to within 72 business hours of the referral coming through. If you or the person you are referring is experiencing a medical or mental health crisis, please call 911 for emergency support immediately.

Appropriate referrals for the Perinatal Mental Health Program:

  • People experiencing pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth
  • People who have experienced or are experiencing pregnancy or infant loss
  • People experiencing infertility

Behavioral health services at Mary’s Center are available on an extremely limited basis and current Mary’s Center patients receive priority for treatment. Our virtual pregnancy and postpartum support groups accept new members on a case-by-case basis. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, regardless of your insurance or status as a Mary’s Center participant, we are happy to help with care coordination and direct you to appropriate resources at Mary’s Center or in your community.

Please complete the Perinatal Mental Health Referral Form to refer yourself or another individual. Some fields are required to submit the referral and are noted with an asterisk.

Mary’s Center Home Visiting programs (including Healthy Start, Healthy Families America, and Nurse Family Partnership) can also be helpful support during the perinatal period. These programs provide families with referrals to resources, child development teachings/activities, and ongoing support during the transition to parenthood. Learn more and make a referral here.


Insurance 

We accept most insurance plans including Medicaid and Medicare. If you don’t have health insurance, we’ll help you apply for public benefits or provide care at a discount. 


ECHO Meetings

Mary’s Center hosts monthly Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) ECHO meetings where PMH professionals across disciplines come together for a didactic teaching on a PMH-related topic and then a case presentation. Please sign up here to receive emails about upcoming ECHOs.


Stay Informed with our Newsletter

If you are a professional in the mental health industry, please consider joining the Mary’s Center Perinatal Mental Health Newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

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