Peer Support Groups for Pregnant Teens: Building Community and Emotional Strength
Finding out you’re pregnant as a teen can bring up a lot of feelings: Stress, confusion, fear, and sometimes even shame. It’s a life-changing experience, and you might feel like no one else truly gets what you’re going through.
As a result, maybe your friends have disappeared, your family doesn’t know what to say, or you’re trying to figure everything out on your own while still trying to keep your GPA up. It’s easy to feel alone. But know this: It doesn’t have to be this way.
That’s where peer support for pregnant teens and teen moms can really help. Whether it’s a small group that meets in person or a safe space to open up online, being part of a support group gives you the opportunity to talk to others who get you – other girls going through the same thing. You can share stories, ask questions, vent, and know that you’re not the only one figuring all of this out.
On this page, we’ll talk about:
- Why peer support matters
- What support groups are
- Benefits of peer support for your mental health
- Building support systems during teen pregnancy
- How to find a support group for pregnant teens
Why Peer Support for Pregnant Teens Matters
Big changes are happening physically, mentally, and emotionally, and it’s easy to feel like no one else genuinely understands. Your friends might not know what to say, or you may feel like you’re being judged by everyone else. Know that your feelings during this stage are real and valid, and can have a serious impact on your mental health.
That’s why adolescent peer connection during pregnancy is so vital. Did you know that 13 out of every 1,000 American teens give birth each year?1 Being surrounded by people your own age who are going through the same things can make you feel more supported and less alone.
Youth peer mental health groups are spaces where you can talk honestly and openly as a pregnant teen about what you’re going through. You can chat about the stress of school and managing appointments, rant about what other people have said to you, or share your fears about what happens when you go into labor. There’s no judgment in these groups, and attending them can enable you to feel supported. They can even help prevent you from developing postnatal depression, enhance your well-being, and leave you feeling more able to cope with whatever challenges come along.2
Knowing that you’re not the only one struggling with pregnancy and mental health can make a huge difference. And hearing from others who have been in your shoes can give you hope, and maybe even excitement! Pregnancy isn’t something to go through alone. Peer support is all about forming long-term friendships and becoming emotionally stronger, together.
What Are Support Groups for Teen Moms?
Support groups can come in different shapes and sizes, but when you strip everything back you’re left with two main types: Peer-led groups and therapist-facilitated groups.
Peer-Led Support Groups
Peer-led support groups for teenage moms are often facilitated by young mothers, either by themselves or with the guidance of professionals. They are usually run by charities and held in community spaces. They tend to be fairly informal meetings, more like having a catch-up with friends rather than sitting in a classroom being lectured by someone.
The person leading the group will ensure things are kept in check, that people are respectful to each other, and that no one strays too far from the topic at hand. It’s intended to be a safe and supportive space providing peer support for pregnant teens, and the person in charge will keep it that way.
Therapist Facilitated Groups
Therapist-led groups still provide you with that safe space with your peers, but you also benefit from it being run by a trained mental health professional. They are sometimes run differently from peer-led groups. It can be a bit more like group therapy for pregnant adolescents.
There may be a particular topic for discussion each time, the therapist may show you techniques to help you or even give some psychoeducation for managing your mental health during pregnancy.
A big bonus of these groups is that you can get guidance from a mental health professional. This, coupled with the peer support you receive at the group, makes teen mom group counseling an amazing opportunity.
Online vs In-Person Support Groups
Like with everything in modern life, you can attend virtual peer support groups online as well as in person. Online groups can feel like a godsend: You don’t have to think about how to get to a group, or what to wear, or if you’ll even feel up to it. You can join the virtual room with the click of a button and choose a group that meets at a time that suits you from potentially anywhere in the country.
However, you might miss that important feeling of being physically in a room with your peers. Sometimes, when it feels like things are falling down around you, being in a room with someone who can put a friendly hand on your shoulder, hug you, or squeeze your hand to help you through the tears, is invaluable.
Also, attending local groups IRL can mean you discover other local resources or even make friends that you can meet up with outside of the sessions. Imagine finding your mom-bestie, whose child will be in your kid’s class through school. Lifelong friendships can be formed in these groups.
Mental Health Benefits of Teen Pregnancy Group Therapy and Community Support
Feeling less isolated3- Getting emotional support
- Learning coping strategies4
- Improves mental health3-6
- Boosts self esteem3,5
- Discovering resources
- Create supportive friendships and relationships
- Reduces stigma3-5
- Having a safe space and comforting environment
- Receiving mental health support
- Reignites hope
Teenage pregnancy doesn’t just bring physical changes and a bundle of joy at the end of the road. It can come with risks of mental health problems like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).7 That’s why mental health support groups for teens are crucial: To provide you with the support and help you need.
How to Find Pregnant Teen Community Support
What you’ve read so far sounds promising: Emotional support, advice, guidance, and safe spaces to be yourself. But how do you find peer support for pregnant teens?
One way of connecting young mothers or pregnant teens is by asking your doctor, midwife, or OB-GYN for recommendations of support groups in your local area. Your local maternal mental health service will also have loads of resources available and should be able to help you find something that will suit you.
You could also look up groups online. Online directories will often have listings for virtual and local teen pregnancy discussion groups. Many charities and organizations run support groups. Some organizations you might want to check out are Embrace Grace, Teen Mom Strong, Teen Parent Connection, and YWCA Moms R Us.
If you have a community center nearby, head in and see if there are any notices up for group support. You’d be amazed at what meetings and events get held in these centers.
Building Support Systems for Teen Mothers
You may have heard of the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child.” This means that parents need support from those around them to help bring up their baby. So, who is in your village (your support system)? Have a think about who you would like to turn to for guidance or help.
If you’re not sure right now, here are some ideas:
- Your partner or co-parent
Friends- Family
- Support groups
- Prenatal classes
- Healthcare providers (for instance, doctors, OB-GYNs, therapists)
Mission Prep can provide a range of support for pregnant teens, including individual therapy, group support, counseling, parenting classes, and much more. Don’t be scared to ask for help. It’s never too late to reach out to people or services around you.
How Mission Prep Can Support You Through Pregnancy and Beyond
Pregnancy can be an emotional journey with many twists and turns in the road. It can feel very full-on, especially as a teen. Getting the right kind of support is the key to feeling better. Pregnancy was never meant to be done alone – and we are here to be by your side.
At Mission Prep, our team of licensed professionals will work closely with you and your family to understand your needs, and to support you in the best way possible. We can offer screening for mental health issues, individual and family therapy, academic planning and support, life skills courses, and care that is centered around your goals.
If you are seeking support from someone who understands teen pregnancy challenges, Mission Prep can help. Reach out to us today to get the information, advice, and support that you need and deserve.
References
- Congress (2025, April 17). Teen births in the United States: overview and recent trends. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45184
- Aylward, P., & Williams, A. S. (2023). Holistic community-based group parenting programs for mothers with maternal mental health issues help address a growing public health need for a diversity of vulnerable mothers, children and families: Findings from an action research study. Frontiers in Global Women S Health, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.1039527
- McLeish, J., Ayers, S., & McCourt, C. (2023). Community-based perinatal mental health peer support: a realist review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05843-8
- Tinago, C. B., Frongillo, E. A., Warren, A. M., Chitiyo, V., Jackson, T. N., Cifarelli, A. K., Fyalkowski, S., & Pauline, V. (2023). Testing the effectiveness of a Community-Based Peer Support intervention to mitigate social isolation and stigma of adolescent motherhood in Zimbabwe. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 28(4), 657–666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03821-2
- Lesinskienė, S., Andruškevič, J., & Butvilaitė, A. (2025). Adolescent Pregnancies and Perinatal Mental Health—Needs and Complex Support options: A literature review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(7), 2334. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072334
- Field, T., Diego, M., Delgado, J., & Medina, L. (2013). Peer support and interpersonal psychotherapy groups experienced decreased prenatal depression, anxiety and cortisol. Early Human Development, 89(9), 621–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2013.04.006
- Hodgkinson, S., Beers, L., Southammakosane, C., & Lewin, A. (2024). Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents. Pediatrics, 133(1), 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0927
