Where to get emotional support during pregnancy and after birth

This page is not medical advice. Do Not Lose Hope is not a clinic or a crisis line. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, call or text 988 now, or call your doctor right away. If anyone is in danger, call 911.

Having a baby changes everything at once: your body, your sleep, your money, your relationships. Add worry about papers, work or family far away, and the weight can feel crushing. Feeling this way is not your fault. It is not a lack of love or faith. Help works, and you deserve it.

Is this the baby blues or something more?

Many new parents have the baby blues: mild mood swings, tears and exhaustion in the first days after birth. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says these usually last about two weeks.

Perinatal depression is different. It can start during pregnancy or after birth, and it usually does not get better without treatment. Most cases after birth begin within 4 to 8 weeks. Signs include:

• Feeling sad, empty or anxious most of the time
• Feeling hopeless, guilty or worthless
• Getting angry or irritated easily
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
• Sleeping or eating much more or much less than usual, beyond what the baby causes
• Trouble thinking or making decisions
• Trouble bonding with your baby
• Constant doubts that you can care for your baby
• Aches and pains with no clear cause

If signs are strong, or last longer than two weeks, talk to a health provider. Anyone who is pregnant or just gave birth can get perinatal depression, whatever their age, background or income. A personal or family history of depression raises the risk, but it can happen to anyone.

Who can I talk to right now?

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is for people who are pregnant or recently gave birth. Call or text 1-833-852-6262 any time, day or night. It is free and confidential, in English and Spanish. Counselors listen, and they can connect you with support groups and health providers. You can reach out if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or just want someone to talk to.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) runs a HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773. Press 1 for Spanish or 2 for English. You can text in English to 800-944-4773 or in Spanish to 971-203-7773. A trained volunteer calls or texts you back, and translation is available if you ask. PSI is not a crisis line. PSI also offers:

• More than 50 online support groups, led by trained facilitators, including Spanish groups called Encuentros de Apoyo
• A Peer Mentor Program that matches you with someone who has recovered from the same thing
• A directory of perinatal mental health providers at psidirectory.com

The California Peer Run Warm Line is for anyone in California who wants to talk with someone who has been there. Call or text 855-600-9276. It is not for emergencies.

Where can I get counseling in the Bay Area?

Start with your county line. Every California county has one (DHCS list). In the Bay Area, both of these counties serve residents who have Medi-Cal or no insurance.

• San Mateo County, ACCESS Call Center: (800) 686-0101, TTY 711, 24 hours a day. The Health Plan of San Mateo tells pregnant and new parents, and their loved ones, to call this line to be connected with a mental health provider. If no one answers, leave your name and number for a callback.
• Santa Clara County, Behavioral Health Services Call Center: (800) 704-0900, then press 1, 24 hours a day. Interpreters in all languages spoken in the county.

Ask the doctor or nurse you already see. Your prenatal provider, or your baby's doctor, can check how you are doing and refer you. You can bring it up yourself at any visit. See What should I say? below.

Community clinics. In East Palo Alto, Ravenswood Family Health Center offers counseling for children and adults. Call (650) 330-7400. See Mental health care without fear for more clinics and how sliding fees work.

A program just for new mothers. El Camino Health in Mountain View runs MOMS (Maternal Outreach Mood Services), a day program for expectant and new mothers with depression or anxiety during or after pregnancy. It includes individual and group counseling, a partners group, and medicine checks. Some groups let babies come along. Call 650-988-8468, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program says most insurance covers it. Ask whether it takes your coverage before you start.

Will Medi-Cal cover this?

Yes, if you qualify, and pregnancy has special rules that help.

• Your immigration status does not block full Medi-Cal while you are pregnant and for one year after the pregnancy ends. The state says pregnant people can apply for full Medi-Cal whatever their status. Full Medi-Cal includes mental health care.
• No premium. A monthly premium of $30 to $50 is planned for some adults starting July 1, 2027, with the exact amount set by the governor in May 2027 (LAO). DHCS says pregnant and postpartum people would not pay it (DHCS). More: Medi-Cal changes in 2027.
• Extra visits. The Health Plan of San Mateo says members who are pregnant or recently gave birth can get up to 20 preventive mental health visits, even without symptoms.

Not on Medi-Cal yet? Apply now. Your county line can help, or see Medi-Cal for adults in 2026. Was your care denied or cut? See How to complain or appeal.

What helps besides counseling?

NIMH says perinatal depression is usually treated with talk therapy, medicine, or both. A provider can help you choose. Never start or stop a medicine on your own, especially while pregnant or breastfeeding. Ask first.

Small things help too, alongside care:

• Sleep in shifts. Ask a partner or relative to take one night feeding so you get one longer stretch of sleep.
• Say yes to help. Let people bring food, hold the baby while you shower, or do one load of laundry.
• Get outside for a few minutes each day, even just to the corner.
• Eat something regular. Keep easy food within reach.
• Stay connected. A call with your mother, sister or a friend back home counts.
• Lower the bar. A fed baby and a rested parent matter more than a clean house.
• Ease money stress. WIC helps with food for pregnant and new parents and children under 5 (call 1-800-852-5770). See also Food help and Pregnancy leave and pay at work.

If fear or panic comes on suddenly, try Simple grounding exercises.

What if I lost my pregnancy or my baby?

Your grief is real, whether the loss came early or late. You may feel sad, angry, guilty or empty, and your body may still be healing.

• All Options Talkline: 1-888-493-0092. Peer volunteers listen to anyone who has been pregnant, including after a pregnancy loss, and their partners and family. If no one answers, leave your first name and number and they will call back within 48 hours. The volunteers are not licensed counselors.
• PSI (above) can help you find a support group or a provider.
• Your county line can connect you with counseling.

If someone you love died by suicide, see Grieving someone who died by suicide.

How can family help?

Partners and family are often the first to notice that something is wrong. You can:

• Say what you see, gently: "You don't seem like yourself. I'm worried, and I'm here."
• Offer to make the call together, or drive to the appointment
• Take a night feeding, cook a meal, or watch older children
• Keep visitors short if she needs rest
• Never say "just pray more" or "be grateful." Faith and care can go together.

Partners and family can feel worn down too. The county lines and the Warm Line are for you as well.

What should I say to my doctor or nurse?

You do not have to explain everything. Short and honest works.

Questions people ask

Will they take my baby away if I say I am depressed? Asking for help is a way of caring for your baby. NIMH says perinatal depression is not the mother's fault, and it can be treated. Counselors in California must report suspected child abuse or neglect. If you are worried, ask at your first visit what they keep private. See Will my therapist share my information?

Is it safe to talk about my status with the hotline or a counselor? You do not need to share your immigration status to get emotional support. See Will my therapist share my information? for how privacy works in California.

Can I get help in Spanish? Yes. The Maternal Mental Health Hotline, PSI and 988 all offer Spanish, and both county lines offer interpreters.

My baby is a few months old. Is it too late to get help? No. Pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal lasts a year after the pregnancy ends, and help is available any time.

You carried a life. You are carrying a lot right now. Let others carry some of it with you. There is hope, and there is help.