Web Resource Helps Pregnant, Parenting Women with Substance-use Disorder

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has launched the Journey Project, an interactive, web-based resource for pregnant and parenting women with substance-use disorder. The site, featuring informational slideshows, video testimonials, and links to resources, is designed to increase access to treatment and provide support, guidance, and encouragement to women in recovery.

“The Journey Project adds another tool to our toolkit to help fight the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts and provides vital resources for women with substance-use disorders to care for themselves and their babies,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This project emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer support, which is essential to seeking and maintaining treatment and recovery both before and after delivery.”

Featuring an interactive and easy-to-navigate platform, the Journey Project aims to engage women throughout every step of their treatment and recovery, and connects them to local services that can assist with all aspects of pregnancy, delivery, early parenting, and managing their substance-use disorder.

Services include connections to recovery coaches and peer support groups for families and loved ones of individuals with substance-use disorders, linkage to two free hotlines for women struggling with postpartum depression and other behavioral-health needs, guides to free breastfeeding support groups in Massachusetts, resources for women experiencing domestic violence, and informational checklists on the birthing process and booklets on safe sleeping.