Postpartum Support International

Michigan
PSI-MI

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to helping those suffering from perinatal mood disorders, the most common complication of childbirth.

Our Mission is to increase awareness, education, prevention, and treatment of perinatal mental health issues affecting individuals, their families, and support systems in all areas of Michigan.

Our Vision is that all pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families, including those from underserved communities, will have access to perinatal support, mental health/healthcare providers, education, and resources to improve overall well-being through advocacy, training, and increased awareness of perinatal mental health.

PSI-MI Board of Directors

Kirstina Ledlow, Chair
ledlokr@bronsonhg.org

Barb Hawkins-Palmer, Secretary
barb.hawkins-palmer@kentcountymi.gov

Amy Lawson, Treasurer
Amy.amylawson@gmail.com

Danielle Gordon, Chapter Liaison
danielle@yvcounseling.com

Tierra Emerson, Alliance Rep
InkwellTherapyandConsulting@gmail.com

At-large PSI- MI Board Members

  • Sarah Doyle
  • Kersten Kimmerly
  • Sara Mertz
  • Nancy Roberts, immediate past chair

Want to make a difference in Michigan?

Become a member or donate today!

PSI relies on members and contributions from the community to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing.

All memberships are tax-deductible.

Become a PSI-MI Volunteer

There are many ways to help and volunteer with PSI, and we would love to have you join us. All are welcome at PSI! Survivors, mental health professionals, doulas, clinicians, and anyone else interested and passionate about raising awareness about perinatal mental health can volunteer through the chapter in order to give back to their local communities.

PSI Chapters are made up of a variety of local advocates and stakeholders who further the mission of PSI on a grassroots level. Chapters work on a wide range of initiatives that they develop based on their communities needs. While some chapters may focus on passing legislation, others may create a robust network of peer support groups, and all chapters provide scholarships for PSI trainings and events.

Contact the Chapter to find out about volunteer opportunities near you. Explore other volunteer opportunities on the PSI website.

Become a Friend of PSI-MI

Becoming a “Friend of PSI-MI” is free and allows you to attend our PSI-MI meetings, participate in workgroups, and apply for our mini-grant program. We send periodic e-mails to update you about our quarterly meetings and other events. You do not need to be a paid PSI Member to join our “Friends” e-mail list, though there are many additional benefits to joining PSI.

Apply for a Project Grant

Healthy Kent PerinatalFor Friends of PSI Michigan: Mini grants are available for PMAD related projects in communities throughout the state of Michigan. They are supported in partnership with the Healthy Kent PMAD Coalition. Examples of previous grants that were awarded include starting support groups and/or coalitions, developing an awareness campaign, creating websites for PMAD parents, offerings of educational trainings, etc.

To become a Friend of PSI-MI, click here.

The Climb

2022 Capitol Climb

Join us for our annual Capitol Climb, celebrating Maternal Mental Health Month. Raising awareness for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, The Climb brings our community together to shine a light on a darkness we often don’t speak about. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth.

Our goal is to educate, enlighten, and spread hope. Funds raised through this event will be used to provide scholarships for mental health and other frontline providers to attend trainings about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and to increase access to treatment for the many families throughout Michigan affected by PMADS. Many parts of Michigan do not currently have trained providers, limiting access to help for new parents. Our scholarships specifically target providers in rural areas as well as providers who work primarily with BIPOC populations. In addition, many families in the state are either uninsured or underinsured, making access to trained professionals difficult. With funds raised, we seek to bridge the gap between families in need and trained professionals. We believe all families should have support throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Michigan Support Resources

The following groups offer support at no charge for parents who are at risk of or experiencing distress such as isolation, depression, anxiety, fearful thoughts, insomnia, trauma, and other difficulties during pregnancy or postpartum. Support groups provide a safe and caring place for connection and help.

IN-PERSON:

Ann Arbor:

Better Beginnings: A New Moms Support Group

Thursdays at 2pm

Hosted by: Rise Wellness Collaborative

Register here: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19952605

Clinton Township:

Postpartum Adjustment Support Group

1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 12pm

Hosted by: Tiny Feet Wellness

Registration or questions to 586.745.0634 or groups@tinyfeetwellness.net

https://tinyfeetwellness.net/support-group

Ferndale:

It Takes a Village

Tuesdays, 6-7pm

Hosted by: Nature’s Playhouse

https://www.naturesplayhouse.com/free-support-services

Postpartum Support Group Cohort

Wednesdays, 1-3pm (April 19-June 7)

Hosted by: Jewish FAmily Service, Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, JFamily

Contact: Julia Cohen, jcohen@jfsdetroit.org

Northwest Michigan:

Rooted Beginnings

Wednesdays, 10-11:30am

Hosted By: Perinatal Support Alliance

Register here: https://www.perinatalsupportalliance.org/register-for-support-group

For questions: support@perinatalsupportalliance.org

Rockford:

Postpartum Emotional Wellness

2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8pm

Hosted by: Flat Rock Doulas

Contact: support@flatriverdoulas.com, 231.456.5056

VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS:

TUESDAYS:

Maternal Wellness Program Support Group

Tuesday, 10am-12pm

Hosted By: Grand Rapids Women’s Health

https://maternalwellnessprogram.org/maternalresources

NICU Support Group

2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 12:15-1:15pm

Hosted By: Bronson Health

For more information contact Kristina Ledlow: ledlokr@bronsonhg.org or 269.341.7175 or click here: https://www.bronsonhealth.com/classes-events/search-results-detail/?eventId=b1edb9fd-2f46-ec11-a84b-000d3a611c21

MomShare

Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm

Hosted By: The Women’s Center of SouthEast Michigan

For more information email: info@womenscentersemi.org or go here https://www.womenscentersemi.org/momshare

Finding the Balance: A Working Moms Support Group

Every Other Tuesday, 6pm

Hosted By: Rise Wellness Collaborative

https://www.risewellnesscollaborative.com/support-groups

WEDNESDAYS:

Rooted Beginnings

Wednesdays, 10-11:30am

Hosted By: Perinatal Support Alliance

support@perinatalsupportalliance.org

https://www.perinatalsupportalliance.org/register-for-support-group

Perinatal Emotional Support Group

Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm

Hosted By: Bronson Health

https://www.bronsonhealth.com/classes-events/search-results-detail/?eventId=6ce4a4d9-0f99-ea11-a82f-000d3a611c21

THURSDAYS:

Shades of Motherhood

Thursdays, 1-3pm

Contact Kersten for Zoom Link: kerstenkimmerly1@gmail.com

As needed:

Pregnancy After Loss

Hosted by: Grand Rapid Women’s Health

https://maternalwellnessprogram.org/palresources

Pine Rest Mother and Baby Program (Grand Rapids)

One of only a few in the country, the Pine Rest Mother and Baby Partial Program is a short-term, intensive day program for women experiencing significant symptoms of postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD).

Our program is unique in that it allows women to receive treatment in a setting which includes a nursery for their infants up to eight months of age. Not only does this approach enhance mother/baby bonding, it eliminates many obstacles to attending daily treatment such as separation from the baby, childcare arrangements and feeding issues.

https://www.pinerest.org/services/mother-baby-program-postpartum-depression-treatment/

Mom’s Bloom

A non-profit organization whose mission is to connect families with newborns to passionate community members who provide quality, hands-on postpartum support.  Mom’s Bloom consists of volunteers who provide in-home postpartum support.

https://momsbloom.org

Tree of Hope Foundation

The Tree of Hope Foundation offers several local postpartum depression /anxiety/OCD support groups in Metro Detroit, Michigan.  The groups meet every week, require no referral, and are provided free of charge to participants.  You are welcome to walk-in to any group without calling ahead.

https://www.treeofhopefoundation.org

Community Mental Health Department of Michigan

Mental health services in Michigan are coordinated through local Community Mental Health Services Programs. Click here for an alphabetical list of local programs and contact information.

REGIONAL COALITIONS

Local coalitions provide an opportunity to connect with providers in your immediate area and to learn about local resources and events.  Some also offer their own scholarships for PSI events and other trainings.

Capital Area Perinatal Wellness Coalition
“We exist to support the mental health of families during pregnancy and postpartum by sharing educational mental health resources, increasing equitable access to professional care, equipping peer supporters, and engaging community advocacy.”
Contact: Kersten Kimmerly
517.712.7687, kerstenkimmerly1@gmail.com

Detroit Area Perinatal Wellness Coalition
www.detroitperinatalwellness.org
https://www.facebook.com/detroitpwc
Contacts: Aimee Cisler, Sarah Doyle, Emily Silver
248.219.7713, detroitpwc@gmail.com

Healthy Kent PMD Coalition (Kent County)
Contacts: Barbara Hawkins Palmer and Nancy Roberts
616.632.7281, barb.hawkins-palmer@kentcountymi.gov or nancy.roberts@spectrumhealth.org

Kalamazoo Co. PMD Coalition
Contact: Kristina Ledlow
269.341.7175, kledlow@obgynpc.com

Lakeshore PMD Coalition (Ottawa/Muskegon Co.)
Contact: Laura Bronold
616.847.5512, laura.bronold@mercyhealth.com