A Note on Postpartum Psychosis, Maternal Suicide & Infanticide

Postpartum psychosis is a severe maternal mental health disorder with a rapid onset and is characterized by a break from reality. Research suggests an approximately 5% suicide rate and a 4% infanticide rate associated with the illness. While it is extremely rare for mothers to take their own lives, as well as the lives of their babies, the effects are devastating. Cherished Mom and our partners are addressing postpartum psychosis  through education, awareness, and advocacy. All maternal mental health disorders are treatable. With help, mothers do recover and get well.

Support for those Who Are Suicidal or in Severe Distress:

The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.

If you need immediate help, please call or text 988 to talk with a trained counselor. A chat feature is available on the website: 988lifeline.org

People call to talk about lots of things: substance abuse, economic worries, relationships, sexual identity, getting over abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, and loneliness, to name a few.

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• The line is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

• Callers are routed to their nearest crisis center to receive immediate counseling and local mental health referrals.

• The lifeline supports people who call for themselves or someone they care about.

Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis  1-888-628-9454

Lifeline Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.