Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support for moms and their families before, during, and after pregnancy.
We have English- and Spanish-speaking counselors.
Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Who answers calls and texts
Who will answer my call or text?
A professional counselor.
They may be a licensed:
- Health care provider, like a nurse or doctor
- Mental health clinician
Or they may be a certified:
- Doula or childbirth educator
- Peer support specialist
What can I expect the counselor to provide?
They will:
- Support you in real-time
- Give you information and resources
- Refer you to local or telehealth providers if you need further care
Are counselors trained?
Yes. They’re trained to understand and respect your culture and any difficulties you’ve experienced.
What languages do the counselors speak?
They speak English and Spanish.
We also offer interpreters who can support 60 other languages, including:
- Arabic
- Creole
- French
- German
- Italian
- Hebrew
- Hmong
- Mandarin
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
How long will I wait on hold to speak to someone or to get a text reply?
Someone will answer your call or text within a couple minutes. But the exact time will depend on how many calls or texts we receive at the time.
About the Hotline
Is this a crisis hotline?
No. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not a “crisis line.” If you are in suicidal crisis, please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If an individual is in imminent danger of harm to self or others, they should call 911.
Learn about maternal mental health
What is mental health?
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and realize their abilities. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It helps us decide how we manage stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
What is maternal mental health?
Maternal mental health refers to a mother’s overall emotional, social, and mental well-being, both during and after pregnancy.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring on strong emotions, such as feeling:
- Overwhelmed
- Scared
- Tired
- Exhausted
- Worried
- Inadequate
For many people, these feelings go away on their own in time. But for some, these emotions are more serious and require assistance. Help is available. You are not alone.
Depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy are common and treatable. They affect new parents of every culture, age, gender, race, and income level.
What are signs of depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy?
It depends on the person, but here are some common symptoms:
- Feeling sad or hopeless most of the time
- Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Less interest in caring for yourself (dressing, fixing hair)
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble coping with daily tasks
- Constant worry about your baby
- Sleeping or eating too much or too little
- Feeling anxious or nervous
- Unexplained irritability or anger
- Unwanted or intrusive thoughts
- Feeling that you’re not a good mother
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
Who to contact
| What you need | How to contact us |
|---|---|
| Help right now | Call or text us at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) |
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