Postpartum Depression Support Groups

Support Group Options for Postpartum Depression

An important element of treating postpartum depression is therapy. Therapy comes in many forms, including group therapy settings known as support groups.

Read on for more information about how support groups help those struggling with postpartum depression and where you can connect with one.

What Are Support Groups?

Support groups are one arm of postpartum depression treatment. They’re especially helpful for mothers but can also benefit her partner, friends and family.

Support groups are professionally facilitated meetings between those affected by postpartum depression. The group meetings take place regularly. They are typically led and moderated by a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, physician, or other mental health professional, such as a specialist nurse.

These structured meetings typically cover a number of topics, including:

• Unique personal stories
• Coping skills
• Challenges
• Treatment feedback
• Success stories

How do Support Groups Help?

Support groups are helpful for anyone suffering from postpartum depression. Support groups offer communal encouragement, comfort and advice in a safe setting. Because support groups happen in an inclusive environment, they help those affected by PPD feel accepted, understood, and validated in their struggles.

Benefits of Support Groups

There are several benefits of participating in support groups, including:

1. Regular and Ongoing Treatment Options
   Because support groups take place on a semi-weekly, weekly or bi-weekly basis, they are beneficial in providing consistent and ongoing therapy for those affected. They also help provide stability and routine.
2. Access Affordable Treatment
   Support groups are an affordable form of therapy. This makes them more accessible to those who cannot afford treatment otherwise.
3. Build Social Connectivity
   Because people facing depression are likely to isolate themselves, support groups build social connectivity between members.
4. Receive Emotional Validation
   Many people suffering from postpartum depression feel terrible guilt and shame about their symptoms. Support groups help break the stigma and validate the feelings, thoughts, and emotions being experienced. This helps those affected to accept their condition further and become more open to treatment and recovery possibilities.
5. Participate in a Safe and Non-Judgmental Environment
   Suffering in silence with postpartum depression is common. Support groups help to protect members’ identities and provide non-judgemental advice that will never be shared with others, such as family members, friends or employers.
6. Facilitated by Professional Health Care Providers
   All meetings are led and facilitated by professional health care providers. This ensures that accurate and helpful treatment advice and coping skills are offered by real experts.
7. Develop a Deeper Understanding of Your Condition
   Support groups also help to provide education about postpartum depression so members can better understand how and why the condition affects them.
8. Learn Healthy Coping Skills
   Most importantly, support groups offer practical tools and skills to help members address and treat their symptoms.

Types of Support Groups

Because postpartum depression can affect anyone, not just mothers, many types of support groups are available to all.

Affected Mothers

Most commonly, postpartum depression support groups support new mothers as they are the primary group affected by PPD symptoms.

Affected Spouses

Support groups are also available for fathers and husbands affected by postpartum depression. While not as common, husbands and fathers need support and resources to prevent them from suffering silently.

Affected Families

Depression can affect entire families and social circles. Postpartum depression support groups are available for family members or friends of mothers battling postpartum depression. This can be valuable if loved ones are suffering from depression as well or if they are seeking information on how to help and support the affected mother.

Affected Couples

An unfortunate but common outcome of postpartum depression is marital problems. Support groups are available specifically for couples facing postpartum depression. These groups provide helpful advice and encouragement to new parents. They’re beneficial if you are experiencing marital challenges, seeking better communication or looking for healthy ways to support each other.

Where to Find Support Groups

Traditionally, support groups are held in physical locations with individual chapters in local settings. Local support groups can be held by mental health clinics, women’s health clinics, and family health clinics. They may also be offered by various public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Specialized postpartum depression support groups may be offered to groups, including:

• Spanish-speaking mothers
• Unwed/unsupported mothers
• Mothers facing addiction and substance abuse
• Military families
• Other specific circumstances

Postpartum depression support groups are available in most states. Check your state’s official website for links to health organizations and information on depression support groups.

National organizations that offer professional postpartum depression support resources:

• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Women’s Health
• Mental Health America

In today’s online environment, internet support groups are available via chats, message boards, and forums.

Online postpartum depression support groups include:

• Postpartum Support International Online Meetings
• Smart Patients Postpartum Community
• What to Expect Postpartum Depression Discussion Forum

If there are no postpartum depression support groups in your area, look for general depression support groups. Postpartum depression is one type of depression. While the causes may differ, the symptoms and treatment options are similar.