Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Training Stipend Program
First Round Program opens June 20th, 2025 (first come, first serve)
15 training stipends will be available for distribution across this year and next. Stipends will be awarded in two rounds, with the second round opening in June 2026. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interest form found at the bottom of the page.
The Gorge Perinatal Mental Health Initiative received funding from SWACH to provide training stipends to healthcare providers and service professionals in the Columbia Gorge to obtain a Perinatal Mental Health Certificate through Postpartum Support International (PSI). This includes behavioral health specialists, medication prescribers, and individuals who have the ability to screen for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (i.e. community health workers, medical assistants, etc.). Recipients of the stipend will receive the foundation training, advanced training, and exam fees at no cost. Scholarships are valued at $1200.
PSI is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping women and families suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI increases awareness and support to public and professional communities to address the mental health risks and difficulties during pregnancy and postpartum. The Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program creates a structure for professional education and standardization of training and experience to equip professionals with the ability to provide more mental health support to pregnant and postpartum people. The Perinatal Mental Health Certificate is available to the following groups:
Mental health/Psychotherapy
Psychopharmacology Prescribers: professionals who prescribe medication including Advanced Practice Nurses
Affiliated Professions: Peer Supporters/Peer Specialists, Nurses, Doulas, Lactation, Support Group Leaders, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, and others
Training Requirements
To receive a certificate in Perinatal Mental Health, recipients must do the following:
Step 1. Complete a two-day virtual foundational training, called Components of Care. There are 3 options for you to choose from:
June 25-26, 2025 8:30am CST (6:30am PST)
September 17-18, 2025 8:30am EST (5:30am PST)
November 19-20, 2025 8:30am PST
Step 2. Complete one advanced training specific to your track (psychotherapy/mental health, psychopharmacological, or affiliated professional). See Postpartum Support International’s training page for more information. Please note, our training stipend only covers virtual training events.
Step 3. Take the exam.
Stipend Information
Upon approval of receiving the training stipend, you can register for PSI trainings using a code provided. We will pay PSI directly.
Once you complete the trainings and are ready to sit for the exam, email us at gorgepmhi@gmail.com and we will provide further instruction for the exam voucher.
Application Process
The first round of training stipends will be available on June 20th at 10am via the form below. This is a first come, first serve process for those who are able to complete training this year. If you are not able to complete the training this year, you can indicate so on the form below and we will reach back out next year to see if you are still interested.