Community Needs Survey — Bloom Through Motherhood

Community Needs Survey

Help Us Understand What Moms Really Need

Your experience — whatever it looked like — matters to us. This survey takes about 8–12 minutes and will directly shape the programs and support Bloom Through Motherhood builds for mothers.

All responses are anonymous. You will not be identified.

There are no right or wrong answers here. We want to hear about your real experience — the hard parts, the things that helped, and the gaps that still need to be filled. Thank you for trusting us with your story.

Section 1 of 5

Section 1 — About You

How would you describe your current stage of motherhood? *

Currently pregnant Postpartum (0–6 months after birth) Postpartum (6–12 months after birth) 1–3 years postpartum More than 3 years postpartum I have children of varying ages

How many children do you have? *

1 2 3 4 or more

Is this your first baby, or have you had previous pregnancies? *

This is/was my first pregnancy I have had previous pregnancies

State *

County Optional

Section 2 — Your Experience

During pregnancy or after birth, did you experience any of the following? *
Check all that apply.

Persistent sadness, crying, or hopelessness Significant anxiety or worry that felt out of control Panic attacks Intrusive or scary thoughts Feeling disconnected from my baby Rage, irritability, or anger that felt unusual for me Difficulty sleeping beyond normal newborn disruptions I was formally diagnosed with postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or psychosis I struggled emotionally but was never given a diagnosis I did not experience significant mood or anxiety symptoms

Thank you for sharing that.These questions are for moms who struggled with mood or anxiety during the perinatal period. We want to understand what was missing — and what would have made a real difference.

Section 3 — Your PMAD Experience

When did you first notice something felt "off"? *

During pregnancy Within the first 2 weeks after birth 2–6 weeks after birth 2–6 months after birth More than 6 months after birth I'm not sure

How long did it take before you told someone how you were really feeling? *

I told someone right away A few days to a week Several weeks Several months I still haven't told anyone — this survey is the first time I've shared this

What kept you from reaching out sooner? *
Check all that apply.

I didn't know what I was experiencing had a name I was afraid of being judged I was afraid someone would take my baby I thought I should be able to handle it on my own I didn't know where to go for help I felt ashamed or like I was failing as a mom I didn't have anyone to ask for help I couldn't afford help I was too exhausted to even seek help

When you did eventually share or seek help, where did you turn first? *

My OB or midwife My primary care doctor A therapist or counselor A friend or family member Social media or an online group A hotline or crisis line I didn't seek help — someone noticed and reached out to me Other

What type of support would have helped you the most during your hardest moment? *
Select your top 2.

Knowing what I was experiencing was normal and had a name Talking to another mom who had been through the same thing Access to a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health A peer support group with other moms who understood Someone to help with the baby so I could rest Help for my partner or family to understand what I was going through A phone or text line for middle-of-the-night support Information about medication options Financial assistance to access care

In your own words, what do you wish someone had said or done for you during pregnancy or postpartum? *

Did you receive professional support (therapy, psychiatry, medication) for what you experienced? *

Yes, and it helped significantly Yes, but it wasn't the right fit or wasn't fully helpful I tried to access it but faced barriers (cost, waitlists, availability) No — I managed on my own or with personal support No — I didn't know how or where to access it

If you faced barriers to getting professional support, what were they? Skip if not applicable.

Cost / lack of insurance coverage Long waitlists Couldn't find a therapist specializing in perinatal issues Couldn't find a therapist accepting my insurance Lack of transportation or childcare Provider wasn't a good cultural fit Stigma or fear of judgment

Looking back, what would have helped you most before your symptoms got serious — when things were just starting to feel hard? *

Thank you for sharing that.These questions are for moms who didn't experience a significant PMAD. Your perspective on what worked — and what was still hard — helps us understand the full picture.

Section 3 — Your Perinatal Experience

Even without a PMAD, did you have moments of feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or unsupported? *

Yes, frequently Yes, occasionally Rarely No, I felt very supported throughout

What most contributed to your emotional wellbeing during this time? *
Check all that apply.

Strong support from my partner Support from family or close friends My faith community Access to a therapist or counselor Online communities or social media connections Prior mental health experience — I knew what to watch for Just felt naturally resilient during this season Education about PMADs beforehand

Were you ever educated about PMADs before or during your pregnancy? *

Yes, thoroughly — my provider covered this well Somewhat — I received some basic information Barely — it was mentioned but never really explained No, I was never informed about PMADs I learned about them on my own through personal research

Even though you felt okay emotionally, were there areas where you could have used more support? *
Check all that apply.

Practical support (meals, housework, older child care) More information about what to expect emotionally Partner / relationship support Community or connection with other new moms Breastfeeding or sleep support Grief or loss support (miscarriage, infertility, birth trauma) Career and identity transition support Body image or physical recovery support I felt pretty well-supported overall

What is the one thing you wish had been different about your support system during pregnancy or postpartum? *

Section 4 — What Support Really Looks Like

How connected did you feel to other mothers during your pregnancy or postpartum period? *

Very connected — I had a strong community around me Somewhat connected — I had a few people but wanted more Fairly isolated — I didn't have many people who truly understood Very isolated — I felt completely alone

Which services would be most valuable to you personally? *
Select your top 3.

In-person peer support groups Virtual/online peer support groups One-on-one phone or text support from a mom who's been there A directory to find perinatal mental health therapists near me Education workshops for moms and/or their partners A warm referral pathway to connect to professional care quickly A community app or online space to connect with other moms Crisis support (24/7 access to someone to talk to) Support specifically for birth trauma or pregnancy loss

If a peer support group existed in your community led by a mom with lived PMAD experience, how likely would you be to attend? *

Very likely — this is exactly what I would have needed Somewhat likely — I'd consider it Unsure — I'd need to know more Unlikely — I would prefer professionally led support Unlikely — I would prefer virtual or online options

What would make you more comfortable joining a peer support group? *
Check all that apply.

Knowing it was free Knowing it was fully confidential Childcare provided Evening or weekend availability A virtual option A small group size A facilitator who had personal PMAD experience It being faith-integrated It being explicitly non-religious A familiar location (library, church, hospital, etc.)

How important is it to you that perinatal mental health support be free or low-cost? *

Extremely important — cost is a major barrier for me Very important — I can afford some but not much Somewhat important — cost matters but wouldn't stop me Not a barrier — cost is not a significant concern for me

Did your OB, midwife, or pediatrician screen you for mood or anxiety changes during pregnancy or postpartum? *

Yes, consistently at every visit Yes, but only once or twice It was mentioned briefly but not formally screened No, it was never brought up I'm not sure

How informed did you feel going into pregnancy about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders? *

Very informed — I knew what to watch for and what to do Somewhat informed — I'd heard of postpartum depression but didn't know much Mostly uninformed — I knew very little Completely uninformed — I had never heard of PMADs before experiencing them

Section 5 — Final Thoughts

If you could change ONE thing about how our community supports mothers during the perinatal period, what would it be? *

Is there anything else you want us to know? Optional

Optional — Stay Connected

Would you like to receive updates about BTM's programs and support groups? Optional

Yes — by email Yes — by text No thank you

Email address

Phone / text number

Would you be interested in sharing your story to help other moms know they're not alone? Optional

Yes, I'd be open to sharing anonymously Yes, I'd be open to sharing with my name Maybe — I'd want to learn more first No, but thank you for asking

Your responses are anonymous. Thank you for helping us build something that matters.

🌸

Thank You

Your Voice Is Shaping This.

Every answer you gave is helping Bloom Through Motherhood build programs that are rooted in what mothers really need. Thank you for trusting us with your experience.

If You're Struggling Right Now

📞 PSI Perinatal Helpline: 1-800-944-4773
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
💬 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
🌐 PSI Free Online Support Groups: Find a group →

Bloom Through Motherhood provides peer support — not clinical or medical services.
PSI Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 | 988 Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 | PSI Free Online Support Groups

Help Us Understand What Moms Really Need

Your Voice Is Shaping This.

Bloom Through Motherhood

hello@bloomthroughmotherhood.org