Need help right now? If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call or text 988, or call 911. In Utah, 988 can also send a mobile crisis team to you.
The newborn weeks are supposed to be magical, and sometimes they are. But for many new parents, they also bring a heaviness that’s hard to explain. Maybe you feel flat when you expected joy. Maybe your mind won’t stop running worst-case scenarios. Maybe you’re snapping at your partner and crying in the shower and wondering what’s wrong with you.
Nothing is wrong with you. What you may be experiencing is a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, and it’s one of the most common and most treatable complications of having a baby. Postpartum Support International estimates that roughly 1 in 7 birthing parents experience postpartum depression, with anxiety affecting a similar number. Around 1 in 10 new dads are affected too.
We’ve organized this guide by what you need, so you can find the right door quickly.
Is This the Baby Blues?
In the first two weeks after birth, up to 80% of new parents feel teary, overwhelmed, and emotionally raw. This is known as the baby blues, and it typically fades on its own as hormones settle.
It’s time to reach out if:
- Your symptoms last longer than two weeks or are getting worse
- You feel hopeless, numb, or disconnected from your baby
- You can’t sleep even when someone else has the baby
- Worry feels constant and out of proportion
- You have upsetting, intrusive thoughts or images that frighten you
- You have panic attacks, a racing heart, or trouble breathing
- You feel rage or irritability that doesn’t feel like you
Intrusive thoughts, such as sudden images of your baby being hurt, are a common symptom of postpartum anxiety and OCD. Having them doesn’t mean you’ll act on them. They’re a sign to get support, not a reason for shame.
Postpartum psychosis is an emergency. Hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, or going days without sleep require immediate care. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
“I Need to Talk to Someone Right Now”
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, 24/7. Utah’s line can also connect you with mobile crisis outreach. 988.utah.gov
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-852-6262, 24/7, in English and Spanish, with interpretation in many other languages. Free and confidential.
- SafeUT: Utah’s crisis chat and tip line, available through the SafeUT app. safeut.org
- Utah Warm Line: Call 801-587-1055 for non-crisis emotional support from a peer, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
“I Want Help Finding Care”
- Postpartum Support International HelpLine: Call 1-800-944-4773, or text 800-944-4773 (English) or 971-203-7773 (Spanish). Trained volunteers listen and connect you to local care.
- PSI Utah: The Utah chapter offers free support groups across the state, information for dads, and a list of intensive treatment options. psiutah.org
- Utah Maternal Mental Health Referral Network: A state directory of perinatal mental health specialists. maternalmentalhealth.dhhs.utah.gov
- Help Me Grow Utah: A free service that connects parents with maternal mental health services and developmental screenings. Call 801-691-5322. helpmegrowutah.org
- Intermountain Health Behavioral Health Navigation: Call 833-442-2211, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, for help finding mental health care.
- Your own providers: Your OB, midwife, primary care provider, or your baby’s pediatrician can screen you and refer you. Many treatments, including many medications, are compatible with breastfeeding.
“I Want to Be Around People Who Get It”
- PSI Utah support groups: Free groups for perinatal mood challenges, in person and online. See the list
- The Emily Effect: A Utah nonprofit focused on postpartum depression and anxiety, with a list of local support groups. theemilyeffect.org
- Intermountain’s Beyond Birth: 4th Trimester Support: Free online and in-person postpartum support.
- PSI online support groups: More than 50 free virtual groups for specific experiences, including birth trauma, NICU stays, loss, and support for dads. Browse groups
- Comunidad Materna en Utah: Support groups and services for Spanish-speaking families. Call 801-613-0034. cmutah.org
“I Need a Break So I Can Breathe”
Sometimes the most urgent need is simply a few safe hours of rest. Utah’s Family Support Center operates free crisis nurseries in Salt Lake City (Sugar House), Midvale, and West Valley City where you can bring young children for short-term care during a hard time. familysupportcenter.org
Support for Partners and Dads
Partners often notice the signs first, and they can struggle too. Fathers can find resources through PSI Utah’s page for fathers and the Fathers & Families Coalition of Utah. If you’re the partner, try saying, “I’ve noticed you seem really overwhelmed. Can I help you call someone?” Then help make the call.
Gentle Habits That Support Healing
These work alongside professional care, not instead of it:
- Prioritize a protected stretch of sleep. Even four to five uninterrupted hours can change how you feel.
- Eat every few hours. Blood sugar dips can make anxiety spike.
- Step into daylight. A short walk outdoors, even in winter, can help regulate mood.
- Lower expectations. Let the house go. Let people help.
- Say it out loud. Telling one trusted person is often the hardest and most important step.
Where SLC Newborn Care Fits In
Our postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists are not mental health providers, but we are a meaningful part of your support system. Overnight care can give you the restorative sleep that is so essential to recovery. Daytime support can free you to attend therapy appointments, rest, or simply have a quiet hour to yourself. Our team is also trained to recognize warning signs and can help connect you to the resources above.
Asking for help is not a failure. It’s one of the most loving things you can do for yourself and your family.
Reach out to SLC Newborn Care at hello@slcnewborncare.com to learn about daytime and overnight support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get help for postpartum anxiety in Utah?
Call or text 988 for crisis support, call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262, or reach PSI Utah for free local support groups. Your OB, midwife, or pediatrician can also screen you and refer you to a perinatal specialist.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical care. Resources are drawn from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services maternal mental health resource list. Please confirm details directly with each organization. In an emergency, call 911 or 988.