Bringing a new life into the world is a profound experience, often filled with love and transformation. But for many parents, it also brings unexpected emotional challenges. Postpartum depression (PPD) is often associated with new mothers, but it can affect fathers and non-birthing partners, too. According to the American Psychological Association, it impacts 1 in 7 women, and similar mood disorders affect 1 in 10 new fathers.
Recognizing the signs of PPD and taking steps to seek help is a courageous and important first move. Whether you’re a new parent, a loved one supporting someone through PPD, or simply seeking answers, this guide will help you understand postpartum depression, explore available treatment options, and find postpartum depression help through local and virtual support groups. At Crestview Recovery, we are committed to walking alongside individuals on the path to healing, offering compassion, expertise, and care tailored to your needs.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect individuals after childbirth, characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may interfere with a person’s ability to care for themselves or their family.
Common Symptoms of PPD
- Persistent sadness or low mood
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Sleep disturbances
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby
It’s essential to differentiate between PPD and the baby blues. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that while up to 85% of new mothers experience mood swings shortly after birth, these symptoms typically subside within two weeks. In contrast, PPD may begin anytime in the first year postpartum and often requires professional support. For many, finding the right postpartum depression help, through therapy, medication, or support, can be the turning point.
Who Is at Risk for Postpartum Depression?
While postpartum depression can affect anyone after childbirth, certain factors may increase the likelihood of experiencing it. Understanding these risk factors can help individuals, loved ones, and healthcare providers recognize early warning signs and seek timely support.
Common Risk Factors Include:
- Personal or Family History of Depression or Anxiety: A history of mental health issues can increase your risk for PPD.
- Hormonal Changes: Post-birth hormonal shifts can affect mood.
- Lack of Social Support: Isolation from partners or friends can intensify struggles.
- Stressful Life Events: Major stressors like financial strain or relationship changes can raise the risk of PPD.
- Complications During Pregnancy or Delivery: Difficult labor or NICU stays may cause trauma.
- Having a Baby in the NICU: Medical complications and NICU stays can add emotional stress and anxiety.
- First-Time Parenthood or Multiple Births: Caring for a newborn—or more than one—can be overwhelming.
- Sleep Deprivation: Chronic lack of sleep can deeply impact mental health.
- Unplanned or Unwanted Pregnancy: Unexpected or distressing pregnancies may heighten the risk of postpartum depression.
Even with no risk factors, anyone can experience PPD, and having them doesn’t guarantee you will.
Why are Postpartum Support Groups Important?
These groups offer a safe space to share, learn, and connect, creating a powerful pathway to postpartum depression help that’s stigma-free and validating.
Benefits of Joining a Support Group
- Emotional Validation: Sharing experiences with others who understand can provide comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness.
- Practical Advice: Members often share coping mechanisms and resources that have helped them.
- Reduced Stigma: Being part of a group can normalize the experience of PPD, encouraging members to seek further help if needed.
Finding Postpartum Support Groups
Whether you’re looking for local meetups, virtual options, or culturally specific communities, there are more ways than ever to find postpartum depression help that fits your life. Here’s where to start your search:
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is one of the most trusted national organizations offering support for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. PSI provides more than 50 free, live virtual support groups tailored to specific needs, including groups for postpartum moms, dads, military families, BIPOC parents, and parents who have experienced NICU stays or pregnancy loss. PSI also offers a helpline, text support, and a provider directory if you’re looking for professional care in your area.
Baby Blues Connection has served families in the Portland area for over 25 years. Their services include free and confidential peer-to-peer support for those experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress. Support groups are available in-person and virtually, with options for parents of all backgrounds and experiences. They also offer a 24-hour warmline for emotional support, educational resources, and referrals to additional mental health services.
WellMama is a nonprofit that offers inclusive, trauma-informed support for families in Oregon experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In addition to support groups, WellMama provides birth trauma recovery resources, wellness planning, and referrals to therapists and doulas. They are inclusive of all parents, including adoptive, foster, and LGBTQIA+ families, and offer culturally sensitive support designed to meet families where they are.
Bridgetown Baby is a Portland-based organization offering a holistic suite of postpartum services, including parenting classes, postpartum doula support, lactation consultation, and community-based support groups. Their in-person and virtual group offerings are designed to support not just emotional well-being, but the overall transition into parenthood. Bridgetown Baby focuses on relationship-based care and personalized guidance, and their expert team includes doulas, IBCLCs, and parent educators.
Should I Join a Virtual or In-Person Postpartum Support Group?
Each group format has unique advantages. Whether you’re drawn to virtual flexibility or the face-to-face connection of in-person meetings, both can be a meaningful first step toward postpartum depression help and recovery.
Virtual support groups are ideal for parents who:
- Have limited transportation or live in rural areas
- Need flexibility with their schedule or childcare
- Prefer to share in the privacy of their own home
- Are immunocompromised or managing health concerns
Online groups also allow parents to connect with others from a wider geographic area, offering diverse perspectives and experiences.
In-person groups offer face-to-face connection, which some parents find more grounding and emotionally fulfilling. They’re great for those who:
- Want a stronger sense of local community
- Benefit from in-the-moment interaction and body language cues
- Prefer structured environments outside the home
- Are looking to meet other parents with babies close in age
Attending in-person groups may also help reduce feelings of isolation by providing opportunities for real-world socialization, which is especially important during the early weeks and months of parenting.
Supporting a Loved One with Postpartum Depression
If someone you care about is experiencing PPD, your support can make a significant difference in their recovery.
Steps to Help
- Educate Yourself: Understand the symptoms and challenges associated with PPD.
- Offer Practical Support: Assist with daily tasks, such as cooking or childcare, to alleviate stress.
- Encourage Professional Help: Gently suggest seeking postpartum depression help from a healthcare provider, mental health professional, or support group.
- Be Patient and Understanding: Listen without judgment and validate their feelings.
Postpartum Depression Help and Dual Diagnosis
For some individuals, postpartum depression doesn’t occur in isolation. It may be part of a more complex mental health picture, especially if there are underlying or co-occurring conditions present. When someone is dealing with postpartum depression alongside another mental health or substance use disorder, this is referred to as a dual diagnosis.
Dual diagnosis can take many forms. For example:
- A new mother with a history of generalized anxiety disorder may find her anxiety intensifies after giving birth, making it difficult to sleep, bond with her baby, or leave the house.
- A parent who has struggled with substance use in the past may turn to alcohol or prescription medications to cope with the overwhelming emotions and exhaustion of postpartum life.
- Someone with unresolved trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a previous birth or past experiences may find that the stress of caring for a newborn brings those symptoms to the surface again.
These overlapping mental health challenges can make postpartum depression harder to recognize and treat, especially if one condition is being addressed while the other is overlooked.
In cases of dual diagnosis, treating just the depression, or just the anxiety, trauma, or substance use, is often not enough. Comprehensive care is essential to ensure all aspects of a person’s mental and emotional health are addressed. That’s where integrated, trauma-informed treatment can make a significant difference.
At Crestview Recovery, our dual diagnosis treatment program is designed specifically for individuals facing multiple mental health challenges. We combine evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma recovery work, and medication management with individualized support to help clients regain balance and build lasting wellness.
Whether you’re experiencing postpartum depression for the first time or navigating a deeper struggle shaped by past or ongoing challenges, know that help is available, and recovery is possible.
You Deserve Support—Take the First Step Today
Postpartum depression is more common than many people realize—and more treatable than it often feels. Whether you’re a new parent struggling silently, a loved one looking for answers, or someone navigating both PPD and a co-occurring condition, you don’t have to do it alone.
Support groups, therapy, and holistic treatment programs can make a profound difference in your journey. At Crestview Recovery, we’re here to walk beside you with evidence-based tools, compassionate guidance, and care that honors your unique experience.
If you’re ready to explore your options or simply talk to someone who understands, we’re here to help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team and take the first step toward healing.
You are not alone. Support is just a conversation away.
