The Importance of Peer Support for New Moms

"In my mind, there was no way anyone else had the thoughts I had postpartum. Having the blessing of participating in the SHARE Journey gave me the opportunity to hear I was not alone in how I felt and that it didn’t make me a bad mom." - Erika

Moms like Erika are the reason why the Northwest Indiana Center for Maternal Wellness offers a variety of peer support services, including the SHARE Journey Individual Peer Support Program. This program connects any mom in Northwest Indiana with a peer mentor during pregnancy or postpartum, or after perinatal loss. It’s a free program, and true to its name, it provides Support, Hope, Assessment, Referrals and Education to each mom who needs help navigating the different and often challenging stages of motherhood.

To help moms feel supported and empowered, the Northwest Indiana Center for Maternal Wellness also offers several virtual peer support groups, educational workshops and regular play dates and social events at its office in Crown Point and at other NWI locations. (Interested in signing up for an event? Book Online | NWI Center for Maternal Wellness)

Studies show that 1 in 5 moms may experience perinatal depression or anxiety, according to Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families affected by perinatal mental health conditions. Moms also could experience obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis. Like the Center, Postpartum Support International offers free support services and resources to moms who are struggling with these conditions. This includes more than 50 online support groups and a peer mentor program, which matches moms with volunteers who have gone through similar experiences.

It’s important for moms to know they are not alone, and being able to connect with other moms who have walked along the same path is often one of the first steps to improving mental health and moving forward.

Looking for more support? Reach out to the Center's warmline today. Text 219-742-4149 or email warmline@nwimaternalwellness.com.