A March Tribute to Strength & Resilience 🌱
Celebrating Awareness Dates, Training in Tucson, and World Doula Week
With March upon us, we’re reflecting on the incredible strength, resilience, and achievements of so many groups and individuals that have faced numerous challenges. This month, we celebrate International Women's Day (March 8th), International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21), World Doula Week (March 22-March 28), National Single Parent Day (March 21), World Bipolar Day (March 30) and Women’s History Month.
We acknowledge the individuals who have paved the way for progress, those who continue to advocate for change, and every parent who navigates the complexities of parenthood and mental health. We also recognize that the journey to well-being is not always linear, but with community support, resources, and understanding, healing is possible.
PSI offers the following support groups in honor of these awareness dates: Bipolar Support for Perinatal Moms and Birthing People and Single Perinatal Parent Support. Find out more information here.
Let’s jump into what’s new and noteworthy in Arizona🌵!
Record-Breaking PSI Certification Training: A Success for Arizona Communities
We’re thrilled to share that the recent PSI Certification training was a resounding success, with 124 attendees from 11 out of 15 Arizona counties. The event, held over three days, featured an exceptional turnout, particularly among Indigenous-identifying participants, thanks to the collaboration with the Cihuapactli Collective and Saguaro Blossom. This is especially impactful given the disproportionate effects of maternal mortality and mental health challenges in these communities. Some quotes from attendees:
“It was an amazing training and your support was vital in my attending!”
“It was absolutely amazing and such an eye opener, thank you for the opportunity!!”
A huge thank you to Arizona’s United Healthcare Community Care Plan for generously funding 55 scholarships and providing travel support, making this training accessible to so many. The collaboration and support are paving the way for lasting change in our state’s health and wellness efforts.
Keep an eye out for more information about this summer’s in-person PSI Certification training in Northern AZ. Grab your scholarship NOW!
AZ Bill Advances Maternal Mental Health Awareness
Arizona's House Bill 2332, introduced by Representative Willoughby on January 22, 2025, amends Title 36 to require the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to create educational materials on maternal mental health, including postpartum depression. These materials, covering symptoms, coping strategies, treatment, and resources, must be distributed by healthcare institutions to new parents, family members, and those showing signs of maternal mental health disorders. The bill aims to raise awareness of maternal mental health issues in Arizona.
APAL Now Offers Free, One-time Perinatal Psychiatric Consults!
The Arizona Perinatal (and Pediatric) Psychiatric Access Lines (APAL) are now offering free, one-time Direct Care Consultations for Perinatal patients, available through clinician referral. This is a one-time, free consultation to assist with assessment and no ongoing care will be provided. Interested? Call at 1-888-290-1336 or schedule a consultation online.
Brazelton Touchpoint Center has launched a free video series of practical, effective strategies for supporting pregnant, birthing, and parenting individuals facing substance use disorder (SUD). Learn more holistic, person-centered approaches to care that embrace diverse cultural backgrounds and address the role of trauma in SUD.
The Perinatal Mental Health Add-On Training pilot study, conducted by Cummings Graduate Institute (CGI) in collaboration with several organizations (Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Mental Health America of Ohio's POEM Program, and Postpartum Support International - Arizona Chapter), highlights the important role of peer support in improving maternal mental health outcomes. Read More
🗓️ Upcoming Events: You Don’t Want to Miss These!
✨ Perinatal Mood Disorders in Adolescents | APAL Grand Rounds
Friday, March 21, 12 -1p | virtual; Free
Dr. Kathy W. Smith will be discussing Perinatal Mood Disorders in Adolescents in this free educational opportunity. Learn more
Maternal Rage/Furia Materna
Friday, March 21, 12 -1p | virtual; $60
PSI presents a webinar titled: Maternal Rage: Implications & Interventions, which will explore the main characteristics of maternal rage during the postpartum period and beyond. In this presentation, the clinical implications of and evidence-based interventions to address maternal rage will be discussed. Presented in English with simultaneous Spanish translation.
🌍 Celebrating World Doula Week: The Power of Doula Support
Saturday, March 22 - Friday, March 28
March 22-28 marks World Doula Week, a time to honor the incredible work of birth and postpartum doulas! Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Research shows that doula care leads to better birth outcomes, including lower rates of interventions and higher satisfaction with the birth experience. Postpartum doulas also play a crucial role in perinatal mental health, offering guidance, reassurance, and hands-on support to new parents navigating the early days of parenthood.
By fostering connection, confidence, and community, doulas help reduce feelings of isolation and overwhelm, making a lasting difference in the well-being of families. This World Doula Week, let’s celebrate the doulas in our communities and recognize the invaluable support they provide!
❇️ Mental Health Day at the Arizona Capitol
Monday, April 14, 2025, 9AM- 3PM | Arizona Capitol Building
Use your voice to make collective impact alongside PSI-AZ, Arizona Peer and Family Coalition plus many other like-minded organizations as we promote mental health awareness and advance critical policy priorities to address the top challenges: Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages, Provider Stain and Housing Gaps. All are welcome! A registration link will be released soon. Questions? Please email admin@azpeerandfamily.org
Peer Support Group Training: Spring & Summer 2025
Group Peer Support (GPS) training is designed for anyone committed to providing peer or emotional support—whether individually or within a community setting. Let’s expand access to mental health and community care! Join the Spring 2025 -OR- Spanish Facilitator Training, a transformative six-session program designed to equip you with the skills to lead trauma-informed, evidence-based peer support groups.
This is more than just facilitation training—it’s an opportunity to reclaim the power of collective care, amplify diverse voices, and create safe spaces where everyone can be seen, heard, and supported. Be part of the movement. Apply for a scholarship today! Questions? Contact: info@grouppeersupport.org
🗣️Do You Have a Perinatal Mental Health Job to Fill?
Share your organization’s PMH job posting which gets over 1,500 views. Jobs will be included in our monthly eNews: 1 month for $30. Contact: psi.arizona1@gmail.com
With Gratitude,
Elizabeth Wood
Arizona Chapter Chair
Postpartum Support International
