This presentation describes the role of social support in the mental health of mothers, fathers and their infants. As traditional societies have become transformed in the modern era, many postpartum rituals have been lost, leaving new mothers feeling vulnerable to maternal mental illness and unsupported. The impact of these disorders on infants, older children and adult relationships can be devastating. The historical perspective of the postpartum worldwide movement is the foundation for understanding the expertise within social support networks. The distinguishing features of a support organization are delineated and illustrated with examples from Australia, Canada, England, South Africa and the United States. The volunteer's intervention techniques play an important role in parental mental health promotion. This presentation is based upon my experience in this field. 1) In 1977 I co-founded Postpartum Education for Parents in Santa Barbara, California. It is a successful volunteer organization that originated the concept of the Warm Line for parents to receive non-judgmental emotional support. 2) In 1987 I founded Postpartum Support International as an umbrella organization to facilitate the practical knowledge, self-help techniques, organization experience and unifying philosophies among diverse postpartum networks. 3) A training curriculum has been developed for professionals and community members interested in being educated about the promotion of mental health during pregnancy and through the infant's first year. 4) I have authored the workbook Step By Step, A Guide to Organizing a Postpartum Parent Support Network in Your Community. It outlines a progression of action and strategy required to successfully integrate perinatal mental health programs into the consciousness of everyone involved with childbirth and child rearing. This presentation is intended to stimulate discussion regarding the role that social support has in the mental health of mothers, fathers and their infants around the world.