Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are common, treatable, and can occur at any time during pregnancy or in the first year after pregnancy. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as 1 in 5 women suffered from symptoms of depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, and early data suggests that this number may now have increased to at least 1 in 3. Screening for PMADs in medical practices is an important step to identifying Vermonters in need of support and treatment.
PMADs can have serious impacts on parental health and well-being as well as long-lasting impacts on children’s cognitive, behavioral, and academic development. They can impact attendance at well-child visits, vaccination, and safety practices. This PMADs factsheet has more information.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, dial 988 for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) or text VT to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Trained counselors are available 24/7.
If you are concerned about your or a loved one's safety or need emergency medical services, call 9-1-1 or go to the closest emergency room.
There are several resources across the state focused on providing support to individuals and families struggling with PMADS, as well as health care providers who offer treatment.
Help Me Grow Vermont 
Help me Grow Vermont connects expecting and new families to mental health clinicians with specialized expertise in treating PMADs and other community services. Providers working with pregnant individuals and families who are experiencing PMADs can also make a direct referral by completing an online referral form. Or, you can:
- Call 211, option 6
- Text HMGVT to 898211
- Email [email protected]
Help Me Grow Form
For help connecting to perinatal mental health providers and other Support Delivered services, enter your information, and a Help Me Grow Care Coordinator will contact you.
* means required information
This is not a crisis line.
Our hours are Monday – Friday from 8 am until 5 pm.
If you need help now (24/7) please Text "VT" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Postpartum support international 
Postpartum Support International provides telephone and text support, online groups and meetings 5 days a week, and peer mentors. Resources are also available for perinatal mental health providers. Vermont's chapter of Postpartum Support International provides a VT based warm line with local coordinators who offer support, information, and encouragement. Virtual support groups can be accessed at their website. 
DESIGNATED MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES
Designated Agencies (DAs) in each Vermont county have clinicians trained to provide perinatal mental health support to parents, children, and families. Many agencies have support groups for coping with pregnancy or adjusting to life with a new baby.
Perinatal Mood and anxiety consultation service 
Medical providers in need of consultation and education regarding PMADs are encouraged to contact the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Consultation Service at the University of Vermont Medical Center at (802) 847-4758.
These Support Delivered materials are available to print (click on the thumbnail image to find a PDF).
Support Delivered Patient Brochure
Support Delivered Poster
Support Delivered Help Me Grow Card
Support Delivered Psychiatric Consultation Service
Support Delivered Provider Sell Sheet
- Postpartum support International (PSI)
- Vermont Chapter of PSI
- Maternal mental health during and after pregnancy (MCPAP)
- Support Delivered Brochure for Families
- HRSA brochure for Moms
- Emotional Complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Awareness materials
- Perinatal mental health discussion tool
- Postpartum promise
- Toolkit for family service providers
- General information
- Beyond Blue (fact sheets)
- Northern new England perinatal quality improvement network
- Vermont PMADs Factsheet
- Postpartum support International
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline
- Vermont Chapter of PSI
- New Mom Health: A Village for Mothers
- Emotional Complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Postpartum Depression Information
- General information
- Beyond Blue (fact sheets)
- Advice for talking to your doctor about PMADs
- Maternal mental health during and after pregnancy (MCPAP)
- Vermont PMADs Factsheet
How Support Delivered helps Vermont Families
Becoming a new parent can be an exciting and hopeful experience, but during the pandemic, uncertainty about the future and a sense of isolation can lead to increased stress. Prior to the pandemic, as many as one in five pregnant or postpartum Vermonters suffered from symptoms of depression and anxiety during the perinatal period. Early data suggests this number is significantly higher at 1 in 3 women experiencing symptoms, likely due to the pandemic.
Who is at Risk for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)?
Some people are at higher risk for PMADs because of factors including their life experiences, genetics, and brain biochemistry. The stressors associated with low socio-economic status significantly increase a person’s likelihood of developing symptoms.
Due to the American history of structural racism, members of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community are disproportionately impacted by perinatal mental health conditions, experiencing them at rates 2-3 times higher than white individuals.
What are Symptoms of PMADs?
PMADs are common, treatable, and can occur at any time during pregnancy or in the first year after pregnancy. These conditions can present as:
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were enjoyable
- Exhausted but can’t sleep
- Overwhelmed or unable to cope
- Feeling guilty, irritable, or angry
- Having unwanted or scary thoughts
It is common to feel grief for the kind of pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum experience you hoped to have. Precautions related to COVID-19 can mean that new parents do not have the help that family, friends, and community members usually provide. If you would like information and support- speak with your medical provider and know that resources are available across Vermont. These are challenging times, but you are not alone. Help is available by phone, text, or online at supportdeliveredvt.com.
Resources
Help Me Grow Vermont connects expecting and new families to mental health clinicians with specialized expertise in treating PMADs and other community services.
Postpartum Support International Vermont Chapter has a warm line with local coordinators who provide support, information, and encouragement. Virtual support groups can be accessed at postpartum.net.
Designated Mental Health Agencies in each Vermont county have clinicians trained to provide perinatal mental health support to parents, children, and families. Many agencies have support groups for coping with pregnancy or adjusting to life with a new baby. There are also programs that address stress management, attachment, parenting, and grief & loss.
The Vermont Department of Health and Department of Mental Health are collaborating on the Screening, Treatment, & Access for Mothers & Perinatal Partners (STAMPP) 5-year cooperative agreement funded by HRSA to help expand perinatal mental health services in Vermont.