Why we need an maternal mental health IOP in San Diego!

For years , I have sat with mothers who are overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or terrified by intrusive thoughts after birth have and there is nowhere appropriate in San Diego to send them for specialized maternal mental health care.

As a licensed midwife, I’ve had to refer women in crisis to the emergency room because it was the only option, even though emergency departments are not trained or equipped to treat postpartum mood disorders. Too often, mothers return home without support, misunderstood, dismissed, or more afraid than when they walked in.

And these mothers are not rare.

• 1 in 5 mothers experience postpartum depression or anxiety

• The rates are even higher for Black, Brown, and low-income women

• In America, maternal mental health conditions are now a leading cause of preventable maternal death

San Diego welcomes over 30,000 births each year, yet there is no dedicated maternal mental health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — no baby-friendly space, no trauma-informed environment, no accessible treatment designed for postpartum mothers.

This is why we are building the first free-standing holistic Maternal Mental Health IOP in San Diego, a place where mothers can receive therapy, medication support when needed, nervous system healing, group connection, somatic care, nutrition guidance, and childcare… all while staying with their babies.

No mother should struggle alone.

No mother should be told to “be grateful” while she’s fighting for her mental health.

Your support will help us open the doors to care mothers desperately need and deserve.

What Your Donation Makes Possible

Launching San Diego’s first holistic Maternal Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program is not just about opening doors, it’s about making sure those doors remain open to every mother, regardless of her circumstances or insurance status.

Sponsors ONE full program scholarship for a mother in crisis.

what it costs to provide this level of care:

• Monthly operating cost: For $7,000, one mother receives comprehensive evidence-based and holistic mental health care, the kind of support that prevents crisis, protects families, and saves lives.

This means every contribution — large or small, directly supports a real mother and her ability to access life-saving care.