May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, the first Wednesday of May is World Maternal Mental Health Day (May 5), and Mother’s Day is on May 9.

This is our month, and we want to talk about IT.  What is IT?

IT is the thing we don’t talk about.  IT is the unknown. IT is the depths of the perinatal mood disorder that you are going through or have struggled with. IT is your individual, unique, brave story of parenthood. 

IT may be slightly different for every person, every family, every parent, every professional. IT is the climb you made to recover from your Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD).  IT is the journey that you have taken to help bring light and recovery to other parents in need.  

IT is what has brought you to PSI today: Your story, or the story of a friend, family member, spouse, partner, or someone you know that has experienced IT.  

Will you talk about IT? Here is how you can help to bring light to the stigma of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

DOWNLOAD THE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT 

SHARE YOUR STORY- Share your IT & Help us, help more parents

START A SOCIAL MEDIA FUNDRAISER

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VIRTUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Join us for the 34th Annual PSI Conference

The annual PSI conference provides an opportunity to meet, learn together, and share ideas with others involved in the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). This year's virtual conference will be held in an interactive conference hall where attendees can access sessions/recordings, e-Posters, exhibits and conference information under one virtual roof. The conference will be held July 7-11, 2021 for live sessions.

Conference Schedule

• July 7-8:  PSI 2-Day Pre-Conference Certificate Course, “Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care”
• July 9-10:  PSI Main Conference, with keynotes, breakouts, and posters
• July 11, Sunday Morning: 3-hour in-depth expert workshops (includes 3-hour workshop required for Advanced Psychopharmacology training)
• July 11, Sunday Training: PSI Advanced Psychotherapy (6-hour) training for Certification

The PSI Conference Program contains the following tracks:

  Early registration pricing is available until June 16, 2021 

"I’m doing so much better, and it really helped to hear that I wasn’t alone and that I was doing a good job!"

 

"It was everything I needed to hear. The volunteer could not have been more helpful. She really helped me take stock and refocus."

 

"This was a pivotal moment in my postpartum period and life. It really saved me."

 

"Great organization. You have helped me a lot during the past year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

 

 

2020 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

PSI's 2020 Annual Impact Report - A Year of Resilience. This report highlights the work done over the last year.  This would not be possible without the help from our many volunteers, staff, donors, and committed Board and Advisory Council members.  Take a moment to download the report and see what PSI did in 2020.

PSI SUPPORT GROUP: SPANISH/ESPANOL

Los invitamos a unirse a la reunión por Zoom.  Inscríbase a la fecha y horario que más le convenga. Registrese

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS

Come as you are and join other parents in one of our many online support groups.  The environment is very casual, and babies and children are welcome. You are not alone, and we are here for you. 

Available groups are:

• New! Postpartum Psychosis Survivors
• New! Parents Support Group
• Queer Parents
• Desi Chaat- A group for South Asian Moms (Once/Month)
• Dad Chat (Once/month)
• Birth Mom Support Groups
• Apoyo Perinatal (Spanish-language) - Los invitamos a unirse a la reunión por Zoom
• Black Mamas Matter
• Military Moms
• NICU Parents
• Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postpartum) Mood Support for Moms
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group for Moms
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support group for Parents (Once/month)
• Pregnancy Mood Support

Go to our Support Group to view the schedule and register

Postpartum Support International's Mind the Gap Monthly connects a network of leaders to top stories, policies, legislation, and ways to work together to ensure Perinatal Mental Health is a national priority.   Read the April Edition here.

Subscribe to the MtG Newsletter

Learn more about Mind the Gap, Join the Movement, Sign the Pledge, and Download the Report

PSI Community Engagement Grant Program
Deadline Saturday May 1, 2021

Who Can Apply:
This grant is open to groups and organizations focused on perinatal mental health, including community organizations, support groups, healthcare systems, and PSI state chapters. Applicants must have at least one individual with an active PSI Membership. (Group memberships are also available). Learn more about PSI membership here.

Award options:  $500, $2000, $5,000, $10,000:
The size of the grant is dependent upon the scope of the project and the number of people served. This pilot program is limited to US entities. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by PSI state chapters and the PSI Community Engagement Committee.

Dates:
Submit application by May 1, 2021
Recipients will be notified by June 1, 2021 

Submit Application HERE

THE CLIMB STORE IS LIVE!

The Climb's online store is up and running! Support the Climb by purchasing COTD Merchandise.

JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY CORNER

The Yates Children Memorial Fund PSI Justice and Advocacy program would like to remind everyone of our PSI Legal Resources Toolkit, which includes a protocol of best practices and a 17-minute video for attorneys who are assigned to defend a maternal infanticide case.

The educational video includes key points compiled from the live CLE seminar provided by experts in the field of maternal mental illness and the law. The day-long seminar provided practical, evidence-based, and case-based information to understand the key elements of perinatal mental illness and the criminal justice system.

The lead faculty is criminal defense attorney George Parnham, JD, an expert on the defense of individuals with mental illness and a passionate advocate for legal reform of their treatment in the criminal justice system. The video is designed to increase the competence and proficiency of professionals and advocates and discusses key recommendations, including the first and immediate steps attorneys should take when assigned a maternal infanticide case.

To request the PSI Legal Resources Toolkit, please email tross@postpartum.net 

PSI VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

PSI is currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:

• Help parents know they are not alone, by sharing your story of hope with us.

• Support Coordinators in areas across the US.  View the full list and Apply 
• The English HelpLine is looking for volunteers to help cover calls on Saturdays and calls & texts during our night shift (11pm-2am Eastern). Email Kat if you are interested. 
• Volunteers for the Spanish HelpLine. Apply Here

2-DAY COMPONENTS OF CARE AND ADVANCED TRAINING

All training dates offer the 2-day Components of Care, Advanced Psychotherapy, and Advanced Psychopharmacology (unless marked)

• • May 19-21, 2021- ONLINE 
•  

Scheduling subject to public health COVID-19 guidance. Stay tuned!  

• • September 8-10, 2021 in Albuquerque, NM
  • September 14-16, 2021 in Moorhead, MN
  • October 6-8, 2021 in Peoria, IL
  • October 20-22, 2021 in Greenville, SC
  • May 11-13, 2022 in Portland, ME (No Pharmacology)

CONGRATULATIONS PMH-C RECIPIENTS

We welcomed 71 new PMH-C's in March 2021.  

The PMH-C program has experienced incredible growth over the two years, and we are excited to say that our team has grown! We welcome Apple to the PSI PMH-C certification team.

We are now offering the option to have a professionally printed version of your PMH-C certificate. The certificate is for those providers who have already passed the PMH-C exam, and are PMH-C Certified.  Visit the store to order! 

Do you have questions about the PMH-C? PSI hosts a monthly call where we can answer your questions! The PMH-C call is the perfect time to have questions answered about qualifications, exam preparation, trainings, etc.

Join us for the FAQ Chat on Zoom the first Friday of the month at 1 pm PST/4EST  Register for the call here. 

Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C)
March 2020
You can find the full list of PMH-C recipients HERE