Maternal Depression: Signs And Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after childbirth vary, and they can range from mild to severe. While it is very common to have the ‘baby blues,’ which are mild mood changes for a few days to two weeks after delivery, if the mood changes are more severe or if they last longer than two weeks in pregnancy or afterward, it might be depression. Symptoms may include:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
- Crying a lot
- Having no energy or motivation
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
- Feeling worthless and guilty
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations , or hyperventilation
- Having thoughts about not wanting to be alive or hurting yourself
- Being afraid that something terrible might happen to the baby, or even thoughts that you might do something bad to the baby
- Having trouble feeling connected to the baby the way you want to
National Alliance On Mental Illness
This national advocacy organizations NYC chapter offers unique support groups that people with a range of mental illnesses can choose from, including how to use humor to boost emotional resilience and young adult groupsall of which cater to a wide range of people struggling with mental health. You might also consider the NAMI’s Peer-to-Peer classes, which can help equip you with the skills needed to better deal with symptoms and reduce stress.
505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018
This practice serves a variety of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, and teaches skills ranging from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Exposure Therapy in their Manhattan and Brooklyn offices.
Manhattan: 200 West 57th St, Suite 404, New York, NY 10019
Brooklyn: 3692 Bedford Ave, Suite P2, Brooklyn, NY 11229
Located on Lexington Avenue between 41st and 42nd Street, this practice also focuses on teaching CBT. They treat a range of mental health disorders, including social anxiety, and hold group therapy for people with anxiety.
380 Lexington Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10168
Signs Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Possible Result Of Maternal Depression Left Unaddressed
Most women suffering with depression take excellent care of their children. However, if depression is severe, or if a mother is suffering from other concerning psychiatric symptoms, sometimes children may be at risk unless the mother gets help.Learn to identify signs of child abuse and neglect: Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
Recommended Reading: When Did Depression Start To Rise
Best Overall: Mental Health America
Mental Health America
Mental Health America is a free, community-based nonprofit founded in 1909 to help those living with mental health issues and to promote the mental health of Americans. The aim of MHA is to help people with their mental health through prevention, early identification, and integrated care.
The organization offers online support groups and discussion communities for a variety of mental health concerns through the Inspire platform. It’s designed to connect patients, families, friends, and caregivers, so that they can exchange support and inspiration. Members of the community can post questions and problems to receive support from other members.
MHA also offers webinars to educate individuals, as well as a peer support specialist training program leading to a National Certification as a Peer Specialist credential.
Finally, Mental Health America offers an intervention called “It’s My Life: Social Self-Directed Care” to help people build a network of friends and intimate relationships, which is particularly helpful if they are isolated or misunderstood by the people around them.
American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center In New York State
The American Red Cross across the regions of New York State have developed a program in response to COVID-19 to support individuals and families who have lost family members to death as a result of COVID-19.
The program will link crisis counselors with families to provide emotional and spiritual support, as well as targeted short-term casework to assist with navigating through the challenging processes they might be faced with as a result of the death.
This might include challenges with moving the family members body through the hospital, nursing home, medical examiner and funeral home systems in this time when those systems may be overwhelmed and their processes may be different than they normally are. They may also include linkage to legal resources for estate, custody, immigration or other issues related to the death.
There is an online intake form can be submitted by a family member, a friend who thinks someone needs help, or an agency on behalf of the family. For those without access to the needed online technology, the phone number submitted within the form will link the caller to an intake person who will assist with the initial steps for getting assistance.Red Cross Intake Form Voice Phone: 585-957-8187
The program is expected to operate for as long as families will benefit from the service or through the month of September.
Don’t Miss: Do I Have Adhd Or Am I Just Depressed
If The Following Sounds Like You You’re Not Alone
Do you experience excessive unrealistic worry, unexplained sadness, loss of a zeal for life?
Are you feeling isolated, hopeless and helpless?
Perhaps you have a loss of appetite, experience disrupted sleeping patterns, or even thoughts of harming yourself?
Depression and mood disorders are diagnosed more often in women than men.
Nami Family Support Group
NAMI Family Support Group is for those who need support dealing with a loved one who is living with mental illness.
Too often, mental illness is an isolating experience, accompanied by profound anxiety. When your family member is diagnosed with a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any of several other illnesses, there is a dramatic change in the relational dynamics between family members.
NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.NAMIs Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get what they need.
- Free of cost to participants
- Designed for adult loved ones of individuals living with mental illness
- Led by family members of individuals living with mental illness
- Meets weekly or monthly
- No specific medical therapy or medication is endorsed or recommended
- Confidential
What Youll Gain
NAMI Family Support Group will help you:
To find a group in your area please contact your local NAMI affiliate or Wendy Burch at NAMI-NYS 462-2000 email:
NAMI Family Support Group – 2 minutes
Save the Dates
Recommended Reading: What Are Major Depressive Episodes
What Happens When You Don’t Sleep
Scientific research has shown that when we do not have good sleep, this can negatively impact proper mood regulation and the quality of attention.
Do you or a loved one struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night or wake up feeling exhausted or overly tired during the day? If yes, then you or a loved one might have a sleep disorder.
How Are Depression Support Groups Structured
Depression support groups may be local groups run by community organizations, hospitals, clinics, or other support agencies. They can also take place in the form of online forums, chats, or message boards hosted by private or public organizations. Peer support groups are led by peers who have experienced depression, while more formal support groups may be co-led by health care professionals who can answer specific questions.
An online depression support group will usually have a forum moderator who volunteers to manage the group. As these groups usually run 24 hours a day and members communicate asynchronously , there is a need to manage discussions and make sure that members are not breaking the rules of the group.
Recommended Reading: Can Birth Control Help Anxiety And Depression
Group Therapy For Depression
A struggle with depression is one of the most common reasons people come to us for psychotherapy. While theres typically quite a bit of individual psychotherapy called for initially, weve found that group therapy is a great context for helping those with depression feel better and create a less depressing life.
Some of the benefits of group therapy for depression are pretty obvious. A therapy group can quite quickly become a place where you can feel less lonely and be less alone . Therapy groups are good at caring. Because every group member is there to work on his or her emotional difficulties, groups are pretty great at understanding pain and the experience of being stuck.
Depression tends to both lead to and grow out of isolation and/or difficulty in being with people. Whether we like it or not, creating a life means creating a life with other people. In the simplest of terms, group therapy is where other people are working on creating their own lives, too. This is where groups, as we view them, are at their best. While groups are very helpful at giving direction, its the activity of building the group, participating in its struggles, helping the group become stronger and more skillful that is most growthful.
A Columbia University-trained psychotherapist with more than a decade of clinical experience, I’ve come to believe that what it means to help people in therapy is to help them create their lives and I relish in this challenging, playful activity.
Need Help Paying For Treatment We’ve Got You Covered
We offer our patients the Advance Care Card, the quickest and easiest way to pay for treatment costs not covered by your insurance.
Get the Help You Need with the affordable Advance Care Card:
Wide Range of Credit AcceptedCredit Decision Made InstantlyInterest-Free Up To 14 MonthsSecure Online Application Process
Recommended Reading: Find Your Words Depression Test
The National Alliance On Mental Illness
NAMI is the largest mental health organization in the United States. They began in 1979 with a small group of families, and they now have 600 local affiliates.
They provide support, advocacy, and education for those in the mental health community and their families. Community members and healthcare professionals can also participate in classes and training.
In addition to a magazine, fundraising events, and a help line for free information and support, NAMI includes forums to connect people with others who have bipolar disorder.
Their website has information on bipolar disorder, including treatment options and current research. You can go to the Online discussion groups section to sign up to chat with others.
Overall, users say NAMI is a great organization to find support for continued recovery of any mental health disorder. Some users say they feel there isnt a lot of legal advocacy available to them.
Price: Free
Where Can I Find A Support Group To Attend Locally
Your local Mental Health America affiliate is an excellent resource to assist you in finding support groups in your area.
The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse also maintains a Directory of Consumer-Driven Services which includes peer-run organizations throughout the United States that offer a variety of supportive services and activities, including peer-run support groups.
Read Also: Pills For Depression And Anger
How Much Do Depression Support Groups Cost
The cost of a depression support group will depend on the organization. For the most part, these communities are available without charge. However, if you wish to receive one-on-one support, therapy, or use additional resources provided by these organizations, there may be a fee. It’s best to inquire about costs before considering joining a support group.
Best Local: Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
For those interested in finding a local, face-to-face support group for depression, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has a complete directory where individuals can search by state or even non-U.S. locations.
While the DBSA connects individuals with local, in-person support communities, many of these groups will also use online meeting tools, social media, and email to communicate with individuals and families to provide resources and support.
The main purpose of DBSA support groups is to create a safe space for people to share their experiences and offer support. Meetings typically consist of general information, educational presentations, support group sharing, and individual sharing. They provide educational information and aim to promote understanding and reduce stigma. Each one has a medical advisor who can be contacted to answer specific questions.
Meetings are free and there is no cost to become a DBSA member. However, donations are accepted at each meeting to cover administrative costs. In most cases, there are no fees to join the support groups listed in the DBSA directory, but it is best to check with local support groups individually about associated costs.
Recommended Reading: Why Do I Always Get Depressed
Why Choose The Virtual Therapist
At The Virtual Therapist, we assist providers in realizing that it is possible to accomplish their aspirations of having a business without sacrificing their ideal lifestyle. We know firsthand how starting a virtual private practice can result in a higher quality of life, higher earnings, and gain the ability to treat and work with clients in the way that works best for you.
With zero contracts and zero subscriptions, well give your the education, guidance and confidence so that you can focus on spending more time with your family and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
See how you can start your online practice today.
Cognitive And Behavioral Care At The Brain Injury Research Center At Mount Sinai
As a result of COVID-19 the Brain Injury Research Center at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance hav shifted their care platform to video visits in an effort to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to access specialized cognitive and behavioral health care during these stressful times.
Together with their colleagues in the Spinal Cord Injury program and their physician colleagues in Physical Medicine, the Mount Sinai Brain Injury Program is currently offering a range of services via video visit for individuals with disabilities. Services include psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, virtual support groups, and medical management including prescription refills and pain management. Most insurances are accepted.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact them below:
Phone: 212-241-4706,
Recommended Reading: Cheek Swab For Depression Meds
In 2022 Psychcentral Ranked Dbsa Support Groups Best Overall
Read the full article here.
During the COVID-19 health crisis, DBSA support groups are not meeting in person. Many groups are using online meeting tools, social media, email, and other channels to keep people and families connected to the resources they need.
DBSA offers both in-person and online support groups to help you find support near you. Take the next step toward wellness for yourself or someone you love.
Is A Bipolar Support Group Right For Me
It can be beneficial to join a support group when you have bipolar disorder.
Kruti Patel, PhD, a clinical psychologist, explains that, with this type of support, people feel understood and learn from others how to cope with their various concerns.
Joining a support group can really help with feeling less alone and finding a community that will understand what youre experiencing, Patel says.
Read Also: Can You Tell If Someone Has Depression
Mental Health Support Groups
NAMINew York City Metro has four classes and over twenty support groupsall free. All groups and courses are led by a trained volunteer who creates an environment of mutual respect and support. NAMI has support groups across the country: Find support.
A Nassau County, Long Island, support group for families of mentally ill relatives.
What Are Bipolar Support Groups
Bipolar support groups offer emotional support from other people who understand what its like to live with bipolar disorder. They arent a substitute for professional care or therapy, but theyre a place to get support and ask questions.
Some groups are run by mental health professionals, but others are led by volunteers who live with bipolar disorder as well.
To select the best bipolar support groups, we looked at:
- privacy
- the websites usability and accessibility
- the education and support each one provides
We reviewed the type of support group offered, if theyre virtual or in-person if theyre led by volunteers or licensed professionals, and the cost.
The variety of these support groups allows for options that fit a persons unique needs.
You May Like: Can A Breakup Cause Depression
What Are Depression Support Groups
Depression support groups help individuals with depression connect with one another to provide and receive emotional support. The idea behind these communities is that the best person to offer empathy and understanding is someone else who has experienced what you are going through or who is walking through it right now.
Can Help You In Different Ways
Emotional Support Helpline
8 am 10 pm | 7 days a week
Project Hope Crisis Counselors understand what you are going through. Talking to them is free, confidential, and anonymous. Talk to someone who is trained, knowledgeable, and never judges. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone you dont know.
Provider Directory
Find a NY Project Hope provider agency in your county that understands what you are going through. Talking to them is free, confidential, and anonymous. Talk to someone who is trained, knowledgeable, and can connect you with other local resources.
Online Wellness Group
NY Project Hope Online Wellness Groups are support groups that give us a time and place to talk about the emotional challenges and the stress of COVID. Whether youre feeling anxious or youre struggling with a relationship, we have a support group that can help you cope.
You May Like: How To Help My Teenage Daughter With Depression And Anxiety