YOUNG ADULT PARENTING
Being a parent as a young adult is tough as it is ,but when you add in having a mental health condition it makes it even tougher. This page is designed for young adult parents who are pregnant or young adults who are already parenting and have a mental health condition. There are resources on this page that can make the ride smoother on being a caregiver. |
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TAKING CARE OF A NEWBORN
When your a first time parent it can be very scary when you bring a new born into the world. You may have a mix of emotions all together. Here are some websites to help ease the process of taking care of a new born.
PARENTING
![]() Taking Care of Your Baby is a page on Parenting.com with all the details you need for caring for your new born from Dressing your baby to Child care 101. See the site here: Taking-Care-Of-Your-Baby |
BABY CENTER
![]() After you have your baby there can be a lot of different mixed emotions. Not only does your baby come first but you do also. This site talks about ways to take care of yourself during the first few months of having your bundle of joy. Know more about taking care of yourself during your baby's first months!
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BABY ZONE
![]() Wouldn't it be nice if babies came with a manual? (But really—who has time to read a manual?!) Let us help you by sharing some information we've gathered on the most common new-parent questions about caring for Baby. Click here for more information: baby-care
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TIPS FOR PARENTING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS
TIPS FOR PARENTING WHILE BEING SINGLE
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YOUNG FATHERS
One national study identifies young fathers as teenage males ages 15-19. However, males can both become fathers at younger ages as well as be involved in the pregnancies of teenage girls while in their twenties. The term “Young Father” encompasses all such young men who, because of their age and/or maturity level, tend to be vulnerable to the adverse parenting outcomes described in the literature surrounding teenage pregnancy. |
Follow the tips below from Healthy Teen Network to ensure that your life as a father starts smoothly:
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POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later. Most of the time, it occurs within the first 3 months after delivery.
This site explains everything you need to know about postpartum depression from the causes of it to the treatment of it: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth. It is always good to stay on top of this road block if and when it occurs after you give birth to your bundle of joy.
Coping skills to deal with the symptoms of postpartum depression:
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Signs and Symptoms of postpartum Depression:
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** PLEASE SEEK THE RIGHT IMMEDIATE HELP IF THESE SYMPTOMS OCCUR**
Here's a suggestion: |
POTENTIAL HURDLES TO OVERCOME
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NATIONAL RESOURCES
GUIDEBOOK FOR SUPPORT
This guidebook was
developed as a comprehensive resource to help parents, providers, and advocates
find information about possible parenting programs in their area. Check it out here: *Parenting w/ a Mental Illness: Programs and Resources*
THE SNAP PROGRAM
SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, is a nationwide program to
provide money for food for low income families. Click here for more information: *SNAP*
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PARENT-CHILD CENTERS
The Parent-Child Centers
offer parent support and education services to both children and parents once a week. For more information, click here: *Parent-Child Centers*
THE CAPT PROGRAM
The CAPT Center is both a
community support program for parents with a mental illness and an early
intervention program for their young children. Check the site out here: *Children and Parents Together (CAPT)***
THE WIC PROGRAM
The
Women, Infants, and Children serves to safeguard the health of low-income
pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age
5. For more information, click here: *WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)*
Transition to Parenthood - T2P
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ASHBURY HOUSE
The Ashbury House is a
Transitional Residential Treatment Program that provides 24-hour treatment,
rehabilitation, and parent education to homeless women who are at risk of
losing or have already lost custody of their children because of their mental
illness. Learn more here: *Ashbury House (San Fran,CA)*
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MASSACHUSETTS AREA RESOURCES
DMH YOUNG ADULT GUIDE
This guide is intended for young adults who need assistance in navigating their goals of recovery. There is a section just for YA parents who are looking for services on pages 25 and 26. Access the guide here: *Young Adult Resources Guide* |
ONE TOUGH JOB
One Tough Job supports parents by providing them with
current, reliable, and practical information on a variety of parenting topics
related to raising children from infancy through adolescence. Learn more here: *One Tough Job*
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
The
mission of PPLM is to protect and promote sexual and reproductive health and
freedom of choice by providing clinical services, education and advocacy. Learn more here: *Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts*
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PARENTS HELPING PARENTS
Parents Helping Parents is a non-profit institution focused on preventing
child abuse before it ever occurs by offering free parenting help and support. Click here for more information: *Parents Helping Parents*
HEALTHY FAMILIES
Healthy
Families Massachusetts (HFM) provides home visiting for first-time
parents under age 21. Home
visitors partner with parents to help them set and achieve personal and family
goals. For more information, click here: *Healthy Families Massachusetts*
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CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND
Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) focuses on working
with parents as early as possible. Access their site here: *Children's Trust Fund*
family Options
Through the many programs offered through Family Options, parents can
receive peer support, family coaching, parent coaching, peer mentoring for
young pregnant and parenting adults with mental health conditions. For more information, click here: *Family Options*
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