The hallmark symptom for postpartum depression isn't necessarily depression. It can often be overwhelming anxiety and worry. Many moms suffering from the illness feel completely overwhelmed. If you're pregnant or just had your baby and feeling distressed, local groups can help.

Wake County
Moms Supporting Moms
The group, now a decade old, offers Thursday night support group meetings at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. Volunteers offer support over the phone and by e-mail. And it recently started the Postpartum Education and Support to support to women and educate the public about the illness.

Contact: (919) 454-6946

Durham County
Duke Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Group
The program offers a twice monthly support group for anyone who is distressed during pregnancy or the first year after birth. The group, now in its 18th year, meets in South Durham.

Contact: Bill Meyer, associate clinical professor, at (919) 681-6840 or william.meyer@duke.edu

Orange County
UNC Center for Women's Mood Disorders
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's psychiatry department offers programs and a bi-monthly support group for women. The center also has an outpatient clinic in Chapel Hill and, starting in fall 2008, at Rex Hospital. It also will open an inpatient unit for women suffering from postpartum depression in November in Chapel Hill.

Contact: For more information about the support group, call (919) 966-3115 or e-mail Cristena Raines. To schedule an appointment at the center's outpatient clinics, call (919) 966-5217.

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