Maternal
Mental
Health
Resources
On this page you will find:
Information about:
The EDPS Postpartum Depression Screening Tool
Additional Screening Tools
During the postpartum period many women need mental health support.
Resources for addressing mental health needs include support for postpartum depression and anxiety and much more including postpartum rage, OCD, PTSD, intrusive thoughts, body dysmorphia, relationship challenges, and the list goes on.
At Whole Person Postpartum we believe that if you’re experiencing anything has you not feeling like yourself in the postpartum period that it is vital to talk to someone. So to make finding support easier, I have listed many of the free and confidential national resources available to you, many of which are accessible 24/7.
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Helpline available 8am-11pm EST. Trained and caring volunteers are available to answer questions, offer encouragement, and connect you with local resources to fit your individual needs. This help line is not for emergencies, see resources below.
Call 1-800-944-4773 option #1 en Español, option #2 in English
Text “help” to 800-944-4773 (English), 971-203-7773 (Español)
Provider directory to find a mental health provider who has specialized training in the perinatal and postpartum period.
Support Groups - online and locally, run by volunteers with personal lived experience with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
Specialized care coordinators - experts in making care accessible to everyone.
Support for partners of birthing persons.
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National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Call or Text 1-833-852-6262 (US Only)
24/7, Free, Confidential Hotline for Pregnant and New Moms, and those who care about them.
In English and Spanish. Interpreter Services are available in 60 languages.
TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262
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National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call or Text 988
Call for yourself or someone you care about.
Free, confidential, available 24/7
Network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide.
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National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.
Includes support for anxiety, eating disorders, gun violence, self-harm, depression and suicide.
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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National Domestic Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-7233
TTY 1-800-787-3224
Live chat available online.
Text “START” to 88788
Free, confidential, 24/7, quick-close web browser and information on clearing web history.
Visit https://www.thehotline.org/what-to-expect-when-you-contact-us/ to find out what to expect when contacting the hotline. Call on behalf of yourself or someone you know.
EDPS Postpartum Depression Screening Tool.
Use this tool as a starting point for discussing your mental health concerns with your provider.
Please place a CHECK MARK (✔) on the blank by the answer that comes closest to how you have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS—not just how you feel today. Complete all 10 items and find your score by adding each number that appears in parentheses (#) by your checked answer.
This is a screening test; not a medical diagnosis. If something doesn’t seem right, call your healthcare provider regardless of your score.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scale is adapted from the British Journal of Psychiatry, June, 1987, vol. 150 by J.L. Cox, J.M. Holden, R. Segovsky.
Click here for the EDPS in Spanish (Español).
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:
As much as I always could ____ (0)
Not quite so much now ____ (1)
Definitely not so much now ____ (2)
Not at all ____ (3)
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:
As much as I ever did ____ (0)
Rather less than I used to ____ (1)
Definitely less than I used to ____ (2)
Hardly at all ____ (3)
3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
Yes, most of the time ____ (3)
Yes, some of the time ____ (2)
Not very often ____ (1)
No, never ____ (0)
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:
No, not at all ____ (0)
Hardly ever ____ (1)
Yes, sometimes ____ (2)
Yes, very often ____ (3)
5. I have felt scared or panicky for no good reason:
Yes, quite a lot ____ (3)
Yes, sometimes ____ (2)
No, not much ____ (1)
No, not at all ____ (0)
6. Things have been getting to me:
Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope at all ____ (3)
Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual ____ (2)
No, most of the time I have coped quite well ____ (1)
No, I have been coping as well as ever ____ (0)
7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping:
Yes, most of the time ____ (3)
Yes, sometimes ____ (2)
No, not very often ____ (1)
No, not at all ____ (0)
8. I have felt sad or miserable:
Yes, most of the time ____ (3)
Yes, quite often ____ (2)
Not very often ____ (1)
No, not at all ____ (0)
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:
Yes, most of the time ____ (3)
Yes, quite often ____ (2)
Only occasionally ____ (1)
No, never ____ (0)
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me:*
Yes, quite often ____ (3)
Sometimes ____ (2)
Hardly ever ____ (1)
Never ____ (0)
Total: _______________*On question 10 if you scored a 1,2, or 3, do not delay seeking help.
Mothers scoring above 12 or 13 are likely to be suffering from depression and should seek medical attention. A careful clinical evaluation by a healthcare professional is needed to confirm a diagnosis and establish a treatment plan.