Using the Internet to Find Health Information
The Internet can be a good source of information on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. You can find research results, stories from survivors and much more. And every day, more information becomes available.
While having access to information on the Internet is a good thing, there is one important drawback - the often unknown reliability of the information. Because anyone today can put together a website or blog, there is no guarantee that the information on a site is correct.
So how can you be sure you're getting the best information possible? Outside of a website referral from a trusted source, the best way to be sure that the content of a site is correct and up-to-date is to rely on a few well-known, trusted websites. The ones we have listed below are sites that are carefully moderated and offer trusted information.
For Moms & Moms-To-Be
Websites:
Offers online, moderated discussion forums about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
MedEdPPD.org, developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), has a special section just for moms.
A leading nonprofit on mental health, this links to their postpartum depression fact sheet.
The MCH Library, compiled by Georgetown University, houses a collection of historical documents and reports related to maternal and child health in the United States and health services for children and families.
Link to the National Institute of Mental Health section on mental illness and women
Motherisk provides evidence-based information and guidance about the safety or risk to the developing fetus or infant, of maternal exposure to drugs, chemicals, diseases, radiation and environmental agents. This is a link to information about medication taken during pregnancy and while breastfeeding and how it may impact the baby.
Blogs by Survivors & Advocates:
I’m Listening, by Jane Honikman, founder of PSI
For Dads, Families and Friends
An informational site focusing on what men experience when their partners have perinatal mood/anxiety disorders. Offers stories from real dads as well as advice on how to help your partner.
Boot Camp for New Dads is a unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads.
Helps families recognize and manage the various forms of depression and associated mood disorders.
For Professionals
NASPOG is a society of researchers, clinicians, educators and scientists involved in women’s mental health and healthcare. Formed in the 1960s as a collaboration among obstetrician gynecologists, psychiatrists and psychologists, the society’s aim is to foster scholarly scientific and clinical study of the biopsychosocial aspects of obstetric and gynecologic medicine.
The Marce Society promotes, facilitates and communicates about research into all aspects of the mental health of women, their infants and partners around the time of childbirth. This involves a broad range of research activities ranging from basic science to health services research.
MedEdPPD.org is a professional education, peer-reviewed Web site developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The MGH Library on Women’s Mental Health is a repository of useful information and frequently referenced articles compiled into different specialty areas, including psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
AWHONN’s section on postpartum depression includes information on legislative advocacy as well as practice resources and a link to the organization’s position paper “The Role of the Nurse in Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders.”
Mental Health America: Maternal Depression-Making a Difference Through Community Action: A Planning Guide
Specialized Treatment Centers
Foundations
Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Foundation
Jenny’s Light
Sounds of Silence Foundation
Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation
Melanie’s Battle
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders Resources in Other Languages
Spanish: Links and Materials
Medline Plus Postpartum Depression Resources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/postpartumdepression.html
Postpartum Depression Information in 15 languages, included Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian and Somali
Maternal & Child Health Library, Non-English Language Resources
http://www.mchlibrary.info/nonenglish.html
University of California, San Francisco, Depression Prevention Course (Muñoz)
http://www.medschool.ucsf.edu/latino/manuals.aspx#depressionprevention
Workbooks available in Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, English
Here to Help
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/other-languages
British Columbia Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. Publications available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Vietnamese
French: Societe Marce Francophone
http://marce-francophone.asso.fr/
German
http://www.marce-gesellschaft.de/