Becoming parents can be a joyful and stressful time. Sometimes the hormonal changes and demands of parenthood can be overwhelming. KidsFirst offers a program to help parents get support during this important time in their lives. Parents may suffer from anxiety, sadness, excessive crying, irritability, thoughts of harming oneself or the baby and/or suicide. If these symptoms are left untreated they can develop into Postpartum Depression or an Anxiety disorder. They can occur in women during pregnancy, or anytime up until the child’s fifth birthday.  Fathers can also be affected by these disorders and may need help too. KidsFirst provides several services for clients experiencing these symptoms as follows:
Individual Counseling
If you or someone you know is suffering from any of the above symptoms, one-on-one counseling is available with a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has been trained in the intricacies of treating Perinatal Mood Disorders.  Approximately 12 individual therapy sessions are offered free of charge, in either English or Spanish in Auburn and Roseville. Treatment can help the client understand the symptoms of Maternal Depression, as well as working towards the healing that will allow the client to recover and have a healthy emotional relationship with their child.
Madres Unidas
Moms nowadays usually feel very lonely and are afraid to talk about how they feel. This is a group to break through the silence and talk about health and parenting with other moms. The support group is helpful for those clients who would like to share their experiences in a safe environment, or who would simply like to listen to the experiences of others. Mothers understand that they are not alone and that there is light at the end of tunnel. This is a Spanish speaking support group which is led by an experienced KidsFirst staff member. The support group is offered twice a month in Roseville.
Resources
KidsFirst has a variety of materials available to clients from brochures to DVD’s to books. Clients are free to borrow books to educate themselves about these particular issues. KidsFirst is also a member of Postpartum Support International (www.postpartum.net) and thus has access to a variety of additional referrals for services not offered directly at KidsFirst. For local non-emergency assistance, moms, dads, family and friends can call the warmline at 888-977-6955.
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