Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can compromise a parent’s ability to effectively function in their role as a caregiver. Parental substance use disorders can also impair judgment and reduce impulse control which may increase a parent’s risk of engaging in child abuse and neglect. Resources that can help parents cope with symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders are provided below.

Maternal Mental Health

• Moms' Mental Health Matters (National Institutes of Health)

Parental Depression

• Parenting Through Depression (Child Mind Institute)

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

• Beyond Postpartum Depression (Child Mind Institute)

PTSD and the Family

• When a Child’s Parent has PTSD (U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs)

Parental Suicidality

• Resources for Parents — Help Is Available
  • The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support, resources, referrals for pregnant and postpartum mothers. The service is available via phone and text in English, Spanish, and 60 other languages. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). Learn more about the hotline here.
  • Suicide is a leading cause of maternal death in the perinatal period (during pregnancy and the first year postpartum). If you are in suicide crisis, help is available 24 hours a day. Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
  • Use this action plan developed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to determine if what you are feeling is depression and anxiety during pregnancy or after birth, and if you should seek help.
  • Learn whether stress or depression may be impacting you by taking the Veteran Self-Check Quiz here.
• Resources for Providers
  • Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices (Suicide Prevention Resource Center)
  • Primary Care Pocket Guide — a summary of risk and protective factors for suicide (Suicide Prevention Resource Center)
  • Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage SAFE-T Pocket Card — guides clinicians through five steps that address the patient’s level of suicide risk and suggests appropriate interventions (SAMHSA)
  • Safety Planning Guide: A Quick Guide for Clinicians — a guide for clinicians to develop a safety plan (i.e,. a prioritized written list of coping strategies and sources of support) for patients at high risk for suicide (Suicide Prevention Resource Center)

Parental Substance Use

• Resources for Families Coping with Mental and Substance Use Disorders (SAMHSA)
• Air Force ADAPT Program (Military OneSource)
• Marine Corps Substance Abuse Program (Military OneSource)
• Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (Military OneSource)