I am pregnant, postpartum or have young children and am looking for help. 

• I am struggling with substance use – fentanyl, pain, pills, meth, marijuana, or alcohol.  I am not sure how it all happened. Many times, substance use is tangled with depression, anxiety, or trauma I experienced as a child or adolescent.
• I am struggling with my mental health.  1 in 5 women in Montana have serious depression or anxiety during pregnancy or during the first year after having a baby.
• I am in an abusive or violent relationship which puts both me and my baby at risk of physical harm, premature delivery or worsening mental health. 
• I am lacking food, housing or adequate clothing for myself and my baby.

Help is available. Substance use is not a moral or personal failure.  It is a chronic medical condition for which there is treatment and support. The same goes with depression or any sort of mental health challenge – there is treatment and support.

No shame, No stigma: You and your baby are precious!

Pregnancy is an opportunity for treatment and recovery. Medical studies show that 80% of women treated for substance use in pregnancy are successful in stopping their substance use.   You will feel so much better! 

Talk to your most trusted friend about your substance use or mental health challenges and that you want to stop using drugs or alcohol.  The trusted friend could be your partner, your family of origin (mother, father, brother or sister), your pastor or priest, your closest buddy. 

Get prenatal care as soon as possible (or if you have had a baby postpartum care).  A maternal health care team with a doctor, midwife, counselor, and social worker will help you get the help and services you need.  Share with them your story just as you did with your trusted friend!