Mental Health Issues and Choosing Adoption
By Jacob LaBau
Placing a baby for adoption is a beautiful process for the child and adoptive family, but it can come at a cost for the birth mother. You have decided to release your child into the hands of a happy family. You may be thinking, “I have made the right decision, but why do I feel so sad?” These emotions are perfectly normal and are what make you human. Regardless of the situation for you and the child, placing a baby for adoption will typically result in mental health issues now or in the future. Do not let this information impact your opinion on adoption. Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we are eager to assist you in any way we can!
There are two treatments Adoption Choices of Colorado offers to combat mental health issues. The first treatment is counseling: one-on-one with a professional therapist who talks you through your emotions. The second treatment is support groups: birth mothers who share similarities to what you are going through. You can even try each treatment to decide which one works best for you or use both treatments to your advantage. If you are located near Denver and feel more comfortable about the adoption process, check out your options at Denver adoption.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Mental Health Issues You Might Face During and After the Adoption Process
There are a few mental health issues that birth mothers will experience after placing up their kids for adoption. Placing your kid for adoption is a bittersweet feeling. On the positive side, you are placing your child’s future in the hands of a happy family. But on the negative side, you commit to never raising that child yourself. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we will provide you with all the resources to fight back and take control of your life again!
Depression
Depression is a core mental health issue likely to arise from placing your baby for adoption. The most important thing to remember is that depression is temporary. It can be tough to get out of bed, let alone work. Take life one step at a time and surround yourself with people who care about you. Also, remember why you decided to pursue adoption options in the first place. Whether it be because of your financial issues, not being ready for a child, or even religious beliefs, just remember that this is what is best for the child. Navigate your way through Denver adoption or contact Adoption Choices of Colorado if you are a birth mother in Denver or anywhere in Colorado who is experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression is difficult to deal with, but our mission at Adoption Choices of Colorado is to work with you on getting your life back on track.
Grief
A common mental health issue that birth mothers experience after placing their child for adoption is grief. Grief comes in five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each stage is emotionally demanding and tougher than the last. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for a powerful woman, such as yourself, to experience grief. Unfortunately, there is no timetable for overcoming grief, but brave women have done it in the past, and you can too! Contact a Colorado adoption agency today if you would like to join the other courageous birth mothers who underwent the beautiful adoption process!
Addiction
Another more popular mental health issue for birth mothers who release their child to adoption is addiction. The aftermath of such a difficult decision can feel lonely. People who suffer through addiction cling to something that makes them feel less lonely and numbs their emotions. Addiction takes many forms, but it will typically surface through substance abuse. Using substances is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Sure, it may drown out that negative self-talk you might have in your head, but only while under the influence. Remember to be that strong, independent woman we know that you are and pursue healthy solutions to addiction. If you feel that you are losing yourself to addiction, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado for support today!
How to Deal with Mental Health Issues and Post-Placement Greif
We understand that the mental health issues affecting birth mothers can sound emotionally demanding. But now, we can finally detail the healthy ways to manage your stress and how to fight back. We at Adoption Choices of Colorado offer two services to birth mothers who are struggling with the loss of their child. The first option is counseling, and a second option is a support group. Both options have their upsides, but each option will be more helpful to different people. It is up to you to decide which option suits what you need/want best! Let’s address the specifics of each option and what to expect so that you can make a well-informed decision!
Adoption Counseling
Counseling is one-on-one with an expert who will help guide you through your emotions. The first step towards successful counseling is recognizing what you need help with. After that, the meetings will become valuable to your mental health and wellbeing. In counseling, there are no barriers to what you can talk about; it is all about what you make it! Do not worry. We at Adoption Choices of Colorado will offer this to you for free! The counseling sessions will be private, and you are welcome to share anything in a judgment-free zone. Again, counseling is all about what you make it! Bring a positive attitude towards counseling, and you will be feeling better in no time!
Find a Local Birth Mother Support Group
Support groups are a great way to connect with people who share a similar experience. In this setting, you can share anything that comes to your mind. All the mothers who belong to the support group have been through what you have in one way or another. They will offer suggestions, share their strengths and struggles, and embrace your mental health endeavors. Do not hesitate to contact Adoption Choices of Colorado if you search for a support group. We are available 24/7 and will work around the clock to find a solution for you!
The support does not stop after the adoption finalization. Adoption Choices of Colorado is partnered with Lifetime Healing, LLC, which provides post-placement support groups for birth mothers. Its mission is to “foster innovative programming that supports mental health initiatives for women who have experienced trauma through adoption, trafficking, sexual abuse, or other exploitation.” Lifetime Healing, LLC’s motto is: “The pain doesn’t stop because we are more educated, but the healing can become more effective.” So, if you are interested in placing your baby for adoption after feeling better about our post-placement support initiatives, search through your options at CO Adoption or private adoption Colorado today!
Find Help and Support for Mental Health During Adoption is the First Step
Regardless of your situation, life can be overwhelming. We are here to remind you to take life one day at a time! A birth mother placing their child for adoption is no easy task. Just remember why you decided to pursue an adoption plan in the first place. Your emotions may be in a rough place right now, but they can be channeled into positive energy. Years down the road, you will look back into the past and realize that releasing your child into the hands of an adoptive family was the right choice.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Reference: Lifetime Healing Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://lifetimehealingfoundation.org/
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!