A peer mentor provides a reliable and knowledgeable friend during the perinatal period for a birthing person. Peer mentorship is an evidence-based support that helps decrease isolation, guilt, and shame; increase the use of positive coping skills; normalize and validate experiences; regain a feeling of control; offer hope; and provide education and outreach. Mentees report a decrease in perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) symptoms following the mentorship.

Mentors are trained volunteers and staff who are knowledgeable about PMADs, their treatment, and how to provide peer support. Mentors have struggled during their pregnancy or postpartum time and/or have lived experiences with PMADs. Having recovered, they offer hope and validation to mentees going through similar experiences. Mentees and mentors are also matched based on their backgrounds and other preferences.

Mentorships last approximately six months, with support gradually faded around the third month in conversation with the mentor.  With mutual interest, extensions beyond six months, especially for mentees who begin a mentorship in pregnancy, are allowed.

Mentees devote approximately 1 hour per week to the program (total of calls, texts, emails, etc.), with the time commitment lessening as mentor support is gradually faded and other social supports are scaffolded.

We understand that life can get busy, so we offer a 2-week grace period for mentees to respond to their mentor and the Peer Mentor Coordinator. If we don’t hear back after that time, the mentorship may be concluded—but we’re always here if you’d like to reconnect in the future!

You are a great candidate for our program if you are struggling in pregnancy or postpartum and/or in recovery from a PMAD or PMAD symptoms (no diagnosis necessary); and if you are willing to honor the program’s time commitment to the best of your abilities. If you are currently in crisis (including experiencing suicidal ideation, domestic violence, food insecurity, or housing insecurity), we first assist you with finding resources and putting supports in place through our Care Coordination before matching you with a mentor. 

Please call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA if you are currently having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or if you are unsure of what type of care you need.

The EDPS (est. time 1 min) is a short, 10-question, multiple-choice form that allows PSVa to track your symptoms and identify any red flags that indicate more support may be needed. Your answers are confidential and only shared with our grantors as aggregated anonymous data to support funding, so we can continue offering this community resource. As a thank you for completing these forms and a short program evaluation at the end of your mentorship, we will mail you a $25 gift card!

The first step to becoming a mentee is to express your interest by indicating your contact information and any mentor preferences. Once we receive your interest form, the Peer Mentor Program Coordinator will contact you to complete the EPDS, answer any questions you have about the program, and discuss the next steps. Thank you for your interest!

Please contact the Peer Mentor Program Coordinator, Maddie Burns, with any other questions!