LAKE COUNTY – Becoming a mom is hard work, whether for the first time or the third.

Most people expect mothers to take this enormous life change in stride. However, having a baby can bring on a full spectrum of new and sometimes overwhelming feelings, on top of the obligatory lifestyle changes.

Most of these feelings are normal, but occasionally the situation goes beyond the “baby blues” and becomes too much to bear alone.

Mother-Wise is a new program in Lake County that is designed to help expecting and new mothers.

The program is seeking volunteers who are interested in doing one-on-one home visits with mothers at risk of, or experiencing, perinatal mood disorder.

In some cases, Mother-Wise volunteers may be the only source of emotional support a mother has. The volunteers are trained in techniques to assist the mothers directly, as well as how to recognize when a mother would benefit from professional help.

It is hard for many of us to imagine being a mother without significant support from family and friends, especially when the chaos is compounded by unwelcome and uncontrollable feelings. Sadly, there are mothers in our community who are in exactly that situation.

If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, or how you can receive help from Mother-Wise, please call Jaclyn Ley at 349-1210.

Orientation meetings are held monthly in both Clearlake and Lakeport and a comprehensive training will take place in September for new volunteers. The first training in Clearlake will be held on Tuesday, June 29.