ABSTRACT
The role of emotional and practical support is critical to the healing process for a mother and her family when suffering from a postpartum mental illness. It is imperative for the healthcare provider and mental healthcare provider to have an evidenced-based understanding of the roles of family, friends, and community support networks.
This chapter will explore the types of support that mothers and families can benefit from on the road to recovery from postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Understanding the roles of partner and families can facilitate communication leading to better support. By reviewing the current research on the links between social support and how this interfaces with maternal well-being and treatment, this chapter will provide a comprehensive overview of both formal and informal social networks with the components of each. Reviewing the institutional supports and operational guidelines that define and provide social support for mothers gives a roadmap for families searching for support during this critical postnatal time. Also included in this chapter are special considerations regarding diverse populations with multicultural needs and cultural beliefs that can affect prompt treatment and support for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. This chapter provides the reader a comprehensive review of the emotional and practical social support needed in the holistic treatment of the mother and her support system during the postnatal period.
