Dedicated Support From A Parent Who Has Been In Your Shoes
PSI has a new resource for parents struggling with perinatal mental health challenges—the Peer Mentor Program. This program pairs individuals in need of support with a trained volunteer who has also experienced and fully recovered from a Perinatal Mood Disorder (PMD). Establishing a one-to-one connection with someone who has journeyed through a PMD offers invaluable insight, encouragement, and hope.
Through weekly communication over the course of six-months our Peers and Mentors build a strong relationship that removes isolation, provides education, and breaks down stigma. Peers and Mentors are thoughtfully matched. Perinatal experiences, family context and other individual nuances are all considered to create a safe peer-to-peer environment that fosters trust, support, and connection. We hope you’ll join us.
If you are struggling with a PMD and are within the perinatal period (conception through two years postpartum, including loss and post-termination) and want to be paired with a Mentor, please fill out the application.
If you’ve fully recovered from your PMD (recovered for at least one year) and would like to join us as a Mentor, please fill out the application:
If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to Jessica Schultz at peermentor@postpartum.net.
This program is not for people who have suicidal ideation, if you need immediate help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text the word HOME to 741741 to reach the National Crisis Text Line.
FAQs for Peers
Who is the Peer in the Peer/Mentor relationship?
The Peer is the mom or dad currently struggling from a perinatal mood disorder, in need of support.
My youngest child is four years old. Is this program right for me?
This program was designed for moms or dads struggling with a perinatal mood disorder. Perinatal means the period “all around” birth and represents a period of time generally spanning pregnancy up through the baby’s first full year after delivery. Although this program is not the right fit, we would be happy to help you find local resources through our PSI Directory.
I am currently pregnant. Is this program right for me?
Yes, this program was designed for moms or dads struggling with a perinatal mood disorder. Perinatal means the period “all around” birth and represents a period of time generally spanning pregnancy up through the baby’s first full year after delivery.
What time commitment should I be prepared to make?
The duration of the mentorship term is six months. On a weekly basis, the specific time commitment will likely vary, ebbing and flowing with the organic formation of the relationship and ongoing needs. That being said, we request that Mentors strive to maintain a strong weekly connection and an open line of communication. We suggest a rule of thumb of a minimum of 30 minutes per week bearing in mind that there are numerous valid avenues to connect (phone calls and Zoom conference, but also text and email).
What are the steps to becoming a Peer?
- Fill out a Peer Application and submit.
- Once your application is received, the Peer Mentor Manager will email you a link to complete the EPDS, a 10-question questionnaire to better understand how you have been feeling over the past week.
- Once completed, the Peer Mentor Manager will again reach out via email to schedule a phone call with you to answer any questions you may have and get to know you better.
- Attend a live, online orientation.
- Review and sign the PSI Peer Agreement, which will be sent and signed electronically.
- Your Mentor will reach out to you via phone and ongoing communication with them can begin.
FAQs for Mentors
I am more than one year recovered, but I still see a therapist and take medication for my PMD. Am I eligible to be a Mentor?
Yes! We are incredibly supportive of people continuing to exercise self-care, whether that be regularly seeing a therapist or taking prescribed medication.
What time commitment should I be prepared to make?
The duration of the mentorship term is six months. On a weekly basis, the specific time commitment will likely vary, ebbing and flowing with the organic formation of the relationship and ongoing needs. That being said, we request that Mentors strive to maintain a strong weekly connection and an open line of communication. We suggest a rule of thumb of a minimum of 30 minutes per week bearing in mind that there are numerous valid avenues to connect (phone calls and Zoom conference, but also text and email).
What does it mean to be fully recovered from a PMD?
Recovering from PMD takes time. You will be the best judge of your own readiness. However, we believe that waiting a minimum of one-year from the time you returned to your emotional baseline will ensure our Mentors are set up for success. This will be further discussed in the application and interview process.
I don’t feel it’s been a full year since I’ve recovered from my PMD. Can I still be considered for the Mentor position?
We know one day you will make a great Mentor! At the same time, our policy dictates that you must reach the full one-year mark. With new mentorship session starting every three months, there is ample opportunity for you to jump in and get involved on a rolling basis.
What are the steps to becoming a Mentor?
- Fill out a Mentor Application and submit.
- Once your application is received, the Peer Mentor Manager will reach out via email to schedule a phone interview with you, to make sure you understand the role and are ready to make the commitment.
- Within approximately two weeks, you will be notified by the Peer Mentor Manager regarding your approval status as a Mentor.
- Begin your Mentor orientation with PSI’s 2-hour pre-recorded webinar covering perinatal mental health and your role as a social support provider.
- Attend two, live online orientation sessions that will include PSI’s emergency protocol.
- Review and sign the PSI Mentor Agreement, which will be sent and signed electronically.
- You are matched with a Peer and ongoing communication with them can begin.