resources

further help - crisis, hotlines, and helplines

CALL 911 if you are experiencing an emergency and need immediate help.

NorthShore University HealthSystem: 1.866.364.6667

NorthShore has a free, confidential, 24 hour crisis hotline you can call if you, or someone you know, is experiencing symptoms of perinatal depression or psychosis and needs urgent help.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1.833.852.6262

Call or text for 24/7 free, confidential support, resources, and understanding for all pregnancy, postpartum, and/or post-loss mental health concerns in English and Spanish (other languages available by request). You do not need a diagnosis to reach out for help.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

If you are experiencing suicidal crises or emotional distress, you can call, text, or chat 988 to connect to trained Lifeline counselors who can offer you confidential, 24 hour support.

PSI warmlines:

Call: 1.800.944.4773 (English & Spanish)
Text: 1.800.944.4773 (English)
Text: 971.420.0294 (Spanish)

Postpartum Support International has calling and texting helplines available in both English and Spanish. Leave a message, and a trained volunteer will return your call or text. This helpline is for non-emergency situations.

PPDIL warmline: 1.847.205.4455

Contact the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois helpline, and a trained volunteer will respond within 24 hours. This helpline is for non-emergency situations.

perinatal mental health resources

postpartum support international (psi)

Postpartum Support International has many invaluable resources, including information about perinatal mood disorders, a warm line, support groups, and more. Head over to their website to learn more, including to connect with the local Illinois chapter.

postpartum depression alliance of IL

The PPD IL has information about perinatal period and perinatal mood disorders as well as lists of many helpful resources specific to the state of Illinois.

postpartum progress

Postpartum progress is a blog intended to support mothers experiencing perinatal mood disorders, and includes resources such as links to community, tools, and stories of other moms on their motherhood journeys.

padre cadre

The Padre Cadre is a place for dads to connect and find resources to support them in their fatherhood journey. Dads are important too!

mom & mind podcast

Hosted by Dr. Kat, who provides information about different aspects of the perinatal experience and chats with guests about their own personal stories of pain, resiliency, and hope.

mgh center for women’s mental health

Massachusetts General Hospital has a plethora of information regarding women’s mental health and psychiatry.

grief, loss, & infertility

the MISS foundation

The MISS Foundation provides community and support to families who have lost a child, including to miscarriage and to stillbirth. Supports include online support groups/forums to connect with others who are grieving and remembering their loved ones.

rtz:hope

Return to Zero:HOPE supports parents (and those who love them) who are grieving pregnancy or infant loss by providing resources, online communities, education, and more.

resolve

Resolve: The National Infertility Association has numerous supports and resources for families who are experiencing infertility and loss challenges on their family building journey. Resources include education, support groups, and advocacy.

fertilityIQ

FertilityIQ offers education about fertility and fertility treatments, including courses taught by fertility experts.

uniquely knitted

Uniquely Knitted is a non-profit that strives to build community and support for people experiencing infertility.

dr. loree johnson

Dr. Loree Johnson has numerous supports for people experiencing infertility on her website, blog, and instagram, including supports for self-care on the infertility journey and the intersectionality of infertility trauma and racial trauma.

pregnancy, birth, feeding, sleeping, and crying resources

la leche league international

La Leche League provides resources and support for moms and family around the momma/baby feeding relationship.

fussy baby network

Erikson Institute’s Fussy Baby Network helps families who are experiencing difficulties with their baby’s crying, sleeping, or feeding. Check out their website for information regarding how to connect with an infant care specialist free of charge!

mothertobaby

MotherToBaby provides information regarding the safety and/or risk of exposures to medications, vaccines, maternal mental health conditions, and more, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. They also offer a free chat/text/phone/email information service in both English and Spanish.

with u parenting

Tara is a wonderful doula in the Chicagoland area that provides care and support for expectant mommas and families. She offers birthing support and birthing preparation classes and a lovely, calm, and knowledgeable demeanor.

third coast birth & baby

Third Coast provides pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support, facilitates community programs, and provides help connecting new families with resources. Their compassionate team includes doulas, lactation counselors, yoga instructors, childbirth educators, and more.

crystal karges nutrition

Crystal’s website, blog, and instagram provide support for mommas seeking to nourish themselves (and their children) in a way that encourages intuitive eating, trusting their bodies, and affirming freedom and love. Women who have a history of disordered eating may find her work especially helpful.

parenting and couples resources

circle of security

Circle of Security provides resources and support to help parents connect with their young children in a meaningful way that fosters awareness and growth.

becoming us

Becoming Us has resources to help parents prepare for life with their new baby and deepen their family bonds as their family expands.

zerotothree

ZeroToThree provides numerous educational resources, organized by topic, to support parents in connecting with their young children in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways.

mindful

Mindful has innumerable resources to support people in developing mindfulness skills and learning to live more present, healthy, compassionate, connected lives.

postbabyhankypanky

Postbabyhankypanky has great resources for helping couples keep their sexual spark alive. Resources are intended to help normalize postpartum sexual concerns and increase communication regarding sex between partners even after baby arrives.

julie bjelland

Julie provides education, empowerment, and support for Highly Sensitive People (HSP) - people who have the trait of sensory processing sensitivity. If you are an HSP parent, or the parent to an HSP child, check out her website for some invaluable resources.

helpful apps

gentle birth

Gentle Birth is a brain training program that supports expectant moms in building mindfulness, breathing, and medical hypnosis skills to promote relaxation and presence during childbirth and beyond.