Finding perinatal and postpartum mental health care in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama

Help any time: two lines to know

PSI’s HelpLine isn’t a crisis line. In a crisis, call or text 988, and in an emergency call 911. NIMH says postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that needs 911 or the nearest emergency room.

One caution: PSI’s state chapter pages for all four of our states still show an old number for the maternal hotline. Use 1-833-852-6262.

1. Start with your obstetric provider or a mental health professional

Your OB-GYN, midwife or primary care provider. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) tells patients to call their OB-GYN or another health care professional right away, and not to wait for the postpartum checkup. ACOG recommends that everyone have contact with their obstetric care provider within the first three weeks after birth and a full postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks.

A mental health professional. NIMH says care can come from a primary care doctor or a mental health professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe if medication is part of the plan.

2. Help your doctor get expert advice

Some states run free consultation lines where OB-GYNs and primary care providers can get same-day advice from perinatal psychiatry specialists. These are for clinicians, not patients, but you can ask your provider to use them:

• Georgia: PEACE for Moms, supported by the Georgia Department of Public Health and staffed by Emory University’s Department of Psychiatry. It gives clinician-to-clinician consultations and doesn’t provide ongoing patient care. Providers can call 470-977-3223.
• Kentucky: KyCOMPASS, run by the Kentucky Department for Public Health with federal funding, for Kentucky health care providers only, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.
• Tennessee: the Department of Health planned a perinatal and pediatric behavioral health teleconsultation pilot in the East region beginning in 2026. We couldn’t confirm it’s running yet.
• Alabama: we didn’t find a perinatal program of this kind.
• Any state: PSI runs a national perinatal psychiatric consult line for providers at 1-877-499-4773.

3. Learn the perinatal therapies to ask about

NIMH names cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) as evidence-based therapies for depression during and after pregnancy. CBT can be done one-on-one or in a group. IPT focuses on communication in relationships, building support and setting realistic expectations.

4. Find a perinatal mental health specialist

Look for PMH-C. Postpartum Support International grants the Certification in Perinatal Mental Health, PMH-C. In May 2026, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredited it. It has three tracks:

• mental health and psychotherapy, for therapists
• psychopharmacology, for prescribers, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants and pharmacists
• affiliated professions

A prescriber with PMH-C has perinatal training. It doesn’t make a nurse practitioner a psychiatrist, so check each provider’s license as well. You can verify anyone’s PMH-C status by name or ID in PSI’s PMH-C directory, which is updated each business day.

PSI’s provider directory (psidirectory.com) lists perinatal mental health professionals and groups in the U.S. PSI says listed providers are in good standing with their state and have completed specialized perinatal mental health training.

Intensive programs. PSI keeps a list of intensive perinatal programs. In our four states, it lists two in Tennessee: The Postpartum Den in Nashville, and Rooted Connections Perinatal Mental Health IOP in Smyrna and online. A PSI support navigator can help you find options and will reach out within one or two business days.

5. Use PSI’s free support

• Online support groups: more than 50 groups on Zoom, free.
• Chat with an Expert: informational chats with licensed mental health professionals every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central, with no registration or name needed.
• Support navigators: more than 400 local volunteers who connect families with providers and groups.
• State chapters: Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama each have a PSI chapter.

ACOG adds that the hospital where you gave birth or your OB-GYN may know of local support groups.

6. Search LunahUP for perinatal providers

As of November 5, 2026, these LunahUP profiles list postpartum or perinatal mental health:

Tennessee also has 2 profiles listing “perinatal and postpartum mental health.” Use PSI’s directory alongside these.

7. Ask a perinatal provider these questions

Along with the general questions in our fit guide, ask:

• “Do you have perinatal mental health training, or PMH-C certification?”
• “How much of your practice is pregnancy and postpartum care?”
• “Will you coordinate with my OB-GYN or midwife?”
• “Can my partner or support person join some sessions?”
• “Do you offer telehealth, so I don’t have to arrange child care?”

8. Sort out the cost of perinatal care

Most health plans cover outpatient therapy during and after pregnancy. Our insurance guide explains how, and our EAP guide covers free counseling through work, which often includes a partner.

The short version

• Call or text 1-833-852-6262 any time for the free maternal mental health hotline.
• PSI’s HelpLine, 1-800-944-4773, connects you to local resources. It isn’t a crisis line.
• Tell your OB-GYN or midwife right away; ACOG says don’t wait for the postpartum visit.
• Look for PMH-C certified providers in PSI’s directory, and verify status in PSI’s PMH-C search.
• Georgia and Kentucky run free perinatal psychiatry consultation lines your doctor can use.
• PSI offers free online support groups and weekly expert chats.