28 Apr Link Up! PSI Blog Hop 2015–You Are Not Alone: Focus on Support Groups & Resources

It’s that time of year again! Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month begins on May 1, and in honor of this important month, Postpartum Support International is sponsoring it’s third annual blog hop!

I have been a member of/volunteer with Postpartum Support International (PSI) since 1999. Over the years, I’ve served as a warmline volunteer, an AZ state support coordinator, and even as the PR Chair on the PSI Board of Directors. I continue to serve as a PSI Trainer (heading to Ohio next week!) and a frequent speaker at their incredible annual conferences.

I can vouch for the amazing work this fine organization does: from their toll-free, bilingual support line, to their many resources for pregnant/postpartum moms, dads, and families, to their online webinars, to their fabulous conferences which educate medical and mental health providers, families, and support people.

That’s one thing PSI has excelled at over the years: helping thousands of mothers, fathers, and families recognize they truly are not alone and connecting them with the resources they so desperately need. The past two years, I’ve been privileged to participate as a host and write articles for the 2013 and the 2014 PSI Blog Hops, and this year, I am thrilled to be part of it again!

The Blog Hop begins on Friday, May 1, and will run throughout the month of May–Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Please review the guidelines, below, and then, write and submit your post for review, link up (below, starting May 1), and that’s it!

It’s a great way to share pregnancy/postpartum emotional health stories and resources, to provide support and encouragement, and raise awareness of Perinatal Mood/Anxiety Disorders. I hope you’ll join us, and spread the word! (See the invitation below for details and rules.)

An Invitation to YOU!

Join us for

Postpartum Support International’s 2015

Second Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month

Blog Hop!

2015 Theme:
You Are Not Alone: Focus on Support Groups and Resources

In May 2011 Postpartum Support International (PSI) declared May as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. An increasing number of states, counties, provinces, and countries have designated May as a time to bring awareness to maternal mental health. The maternal mental health awareness month blog hop is one of the many awareness events — please write to us if you have any questions, and send your entry.

Our PSI blog hop is meant to be inclusive and is also meant to promote emotional safety and comfort and hope for all contributors and readers. To that end, we welcome your participation but also please keep in mind some editorial guidelines meant to promote comfort and safety.

This year we have also designated May 7 as International Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day. We want to be active on social media that day. #IMMHAD2015 #YouAreNotAlone.

Editorial Guidelines:

• Name: Include your real name, we don’t promote people with online disguises. Anonymity can be arranged if you write in a pen name – Contact us to discuss.
• Length: 500 – 1000 words
• Keeping in this year’s theme: You Are Not Alone: Focus on Support Groups and Resources

Potential Emotional Triggers:
For the purpose of this blog hop and its focus on messages of support, we want you to do your best to avoid psychological triggers in your posts. Please do not write about detailed suicidal or homicidal thoughts, feelings, or plans. If you have any questions or concerns about that, please don’t hesitate to contact us at psioffice@postpartum.net.

Inclusive: Editors will not tolerate any negativity directed towards individuals or groups

Commercial Interests: Please refrain from self-promotion of your website or sale items

Beginning May 1, 2015

1. Write your blog post and send a link or attachment to psioffice@postpartum.net. This will help us keep track of all of the posts, and contact you if we have questions or suggestions.
2. Go to the Blog Hop Host:

Dr. Christina Hibbert (link up below!)

3.  Look for their post called: Link Up: PSI 2015 Blog Hop – You Are Not Alone: Focus on Support Groups and Resources (this post!)
4. Link up your post to that blog post in the Linky provided at the bottom of the post.
5. Grab the PSI logo code provided, below.
6. Feel free to promote your blog and the blog hop on social media!
7. Please post these notices:
   • If you need immediate help, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
     • If you are looking for pregnancy or postpartum support and local resources, please call or email us:

   Call PSI Warmline (English & Spanish) 1-800-944-4PPD (4773)
   Email support@postpartum.net

Social Media Links:

Link Up Here!