About 80 percent of new mothers experience some form of “baby blues,” or unhappiness and fatigue after birth, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But that doesn’t mean moms need to recover on their own.
“If you’re thinking about whether or not you should see a therapist, you probably should” said Camesha L. Jones, founder and therapist at Sista Afya, a mental wellness group in South Shore.
According to Healthcare Alternative Systems, which provides behavioral health services at two Chicago locations, 15 to 20 percent of new mothers are affected by postpartum depression, a serious mood disorder characterized by “persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and anxiety.”
Whether you need a professional therapist, support group or more information on mental health, there are plenty of free or low-cost programs across the city. Below is a compiled list of top resources. We’ve also included a more comprehensive list of maternal health resources on our website at www.citybureau.org/thecord.
Read all stories in our special Maternal Health Issue here.
