Mental Health Check for Parents

You Matter Too

Sleep deprivation is brutal. It affects everything — your mood, your patience, your ability to think clearly, and how you feel about yourself and your baby.

If you’re struggling, you’re not weak. You’re human. And you deserve support.

Signs You Might Need More Support

It’s worth reaching out to a professional if you’re experiencing:

• Crying frequently or feeling tearful for no clear reason
• Feeling disconnected from your baby
• Difficulty sleeping even when your baby is sleeping
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Feeling like you’re failing or that you’re a bad parent
• Intrusive or scary thoughts that frighten you
• Rage or anger that feels out of control
• Feeling hopeless or like things will never get better
• Anxiety that feels constant or overwhelming
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

These feelings are not your fault. They are treatable. And they do not make you a bad parent.

Take the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

This is a simple screening tool used by healthcare providers worldwide. It takes about 5 minutes and can help you understand if what you’re feeling might benefit from professional support.

Take the screening here: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Important: This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Please share your results with your doctor, midwife, or a mental health professional.

Resources for Immediate Support

If you’re in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please reach out immediately:

United States: – Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (PSI) – Text “HELP” to 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) – Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Canada: – Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 – Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 686868 – Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773

International: – Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net – International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

You Are Not Alone

Perinatal mood disorders (depression, anxiety, OCD, psychosis) affect up to 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers. You are not the only one who has felt this way.

With proper support, these conditions are highly treatable. Most parents feel significantly better within weeks of starting treatment.

You deserve to feel like yourself again.

What to Do Next

1. Take the Edinburgh screening (link above)
2. Call your doctor or midwife — tell them how you’re feeling
3. Reach out to a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health
4. Tell someone you trust — you don’t have to carry this alone

A Note on Sleep

Sometimes what feels like a “sleep problem” is actually a mental health issue being made worse by exhaustion. Addressing your mental health can be the most important thing you do for your sleep — and your baby’s.

Your baby needs you healthy more than they need perfect sleep.

If you’re in a place where you’re able to work on sleep, I’m here to help. But please take care of yourself first.

If you’re ready to talk about sleep, come back to the chat anytime. I’ll be here.

If you want personalized support from a real human, you can book a consultation: https://islagrace.ca/sleep-coaching/

Use code SLEEP10% for 10% off any course.