Coping with depression can be challenging, but having a strong support system can help. It is important that families are socially and emotionally healthy for their children. Explore the following resources to learn how Head Start and Early Head Start programs can support families coping with depression.
Connecting All Parents with Perinatal Mental Health Services
Perinatal depression is common, but it can be treated with screening and referrals for care. In this webinar recording, learn strategies to help all birthing parents access effective mental health care.
Identifying and Addressing Maternal Depression
Depression is common among pregnant women and new mothers and can affect the health of both mother and child. Learn about importance of identifying women who may benefit from mental health support and services.
Mothers and Babies: An Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression
Mothers and Babies (MB) is an evidence-based intervention to prevent postpartum depression. This webinar recording provides an overview of MB’s key components and implementation details.
Depression in Mothers: More Than the Blues – A Toolkit for Family Service Providers
Find background information about depression and ideas that providers can use daily when helping those suffering from depression, including mothers and their families.
Five Action Steps to Address Maternal Depression in Head Start Programs
Maternal depression can interfere with a mother's ability to be responsive to her new baby. It can also make parenting toddlers and preschoolers more difficult. Explore these five action steps and resources to find ways to help families reduce the impact of depression in their lives.
Parental Depression
Parental depression negatively affects the health and well-being of parents and their children. Head Start and Early Start Staff can use this resource to recognize depression, help families obtain treatment, foster resilience, and support parents as they receive treatment.
Talking About Depression with Families: A Resource for Early Head Start and Head Start Staff
Find effective strategies for starting a conversation about depression with families. Learn ways to help families get the support they need.
Understanding Depression Across Cultures
Review a range of responses to mental health issues, including depression, across cultures. Discover the importance of cultural sensitivity in mental health outreach.
Fostering Resilience in Families Coping with Depression: Practical Ways Professionals Can Help Families Build on Their Power to Cope
Recognizing and identifying strengths and resilience is crucial to the daily work of early childhood professionals. Head Start and child care staff can recognize and foster resilience at four levels. Explore this resource to learn about the four levels of resilience and how to apply them in your work.
Parenting, Depression, and Hope: Reaching Out to Families Facing Adversity
It is important that early childhood professionals and parents recognize depression and know how to get treatment when needed. It is equally important to go beyond recognition and treatment and find ways to build other skills. Learn how to foster effective parenting and help parents build strengths and resilience in their families.
Resources for Families
Parenting Through Tough Times: Coping with Depression
Depression is an illness that can range from mild to severe. It can be very painful to live with depression. It causes people to withdraw from social contacts, from their children and families, and even from the help that could save them from years of suffering. Many people do not know how to recognize or talk about depression. However, it is one of the most common mental illnesses caregivers and parents experience.
Understanding Depression: Taking Care of Yourself and Your Family
Use this tip sheet to identify the signs of depression. Share it with parents to help them learn how to take care of their mental health and seek support when necessary.
Family Well-Being: A Focus on Parental Depression
Find research and practices on the importance of strengths-based support, information about depression, and referrals for treatment. All of these tools can make a huge difference for parents suffering from depression, as well as their children.
Last Updated: November 17, 2023