September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day; Raising Awareness of Maternal Suicide
With the latest CDC data from April 2026 showing an increase in pregnancy-related deaths by mental health conditions (including suicide and overdose), recognizing this public health issue among pregnant and postpartum women in the U.S. could not be more important or urgent.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. In honor of these awareness events, this article highlights the latest CDC data and shares resources and learning opportunities that can help those in the field learn more about this issue and identify better ways to address it in our work and communities.
CDC Data: Pregnancy-Related Deaths Due to Mental Health Conditions are Rising
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health conditions (including suicide and accidental overdose) are the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women, accounting for 28% of pregnancy-related deaths. Over 85% of pregnancy-related deaths were deemed preventable.
Hotlines & Helplines: Where Moms Can Get Support
There are general crisis and specialized hotlines and helplines ready and available to help mothers and others experiencing maternal mental health conditions. Please note them and share with your patients and clients.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Free, confidential, 24/7 support specifically for mothers and others experiencing maternal mental health conditions. This hotline is staffed by trained counselors who connect help-seekers with support and resources. Anyone can contact the Hotline via call, text, or chat in English or Spanish. Translation is available in over 60 languages. 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Free, 24/7 crisis lifeline. Call or text 988.
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
PSI is the leading organization providing free resources and support to pregnant and postpartum parents, including:
Online support groups
Support navigators and lived experience specialists
Provider directory
List of intensive treatment programs
Share the Helpline and Hotlines with Your Patients and Clients
Fact Sheet: Suicide and Maternal Mental Health
Mental health conditions (including suicide and accidental overdose) account for nearly 28% of pregnancy-related deaths, making them the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women. This evidence-based fact sheet produced by the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance covers key facts, statistics, and data sources behind this public health crisis affecting pregnant and postpartum women in the United States.
Educational Script: Educate Patients About Maternal Mental Health Conditions
Healthcare providers need an easy way to raise awareness about maternal mental health conditions and share resources with their patients at regularly scheduled appointments. Below is a simple script healthcare providers can use during short, routine appointments:
“Mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, impacting 1 in 5 pregnant or postpartum people. These conditions are not your fault, and they do not make you a bad person. I’m going to ask you each time I see you how you are doing. If you need help, you can reach out to me, and you can also contact the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) and Postpartum Support International at postpartum.net.”
Webinar: Maternal Suicide Prevention Strategies
Hosted by: Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
Date: October 6, 2026
Time: 1:30pm EST
This webinar, held at the convergence of Suicide Prevention and Depression Screening Awareness months, invites obstetric providers, maternal mental health specialists, suicide prevention leaders, and perinatal psychiatrists to advance evidence-based maternal suicide prevention strategies and improve crisis response systems for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
The Policy Center will highlight the latest CDC maternal suicide data, screening, including identifying suicidality vs. OCD/intrusive thoughts, non-suicidal self-harm, and psychosis. The session will address the role of depression as an indicator of suicide risk, and treatments, including a discussion about medications and black box warnings.
They will also cover the importance of safety planning versus mandatory reporting to child protective services, among other topics. CEO Joy Burkhard will be joined by speakers Dr. Sidra Goldman-Mellor, Associate Professor of Public Health at UCMerced, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Cindy Herrick, Senior Editorial and Research Manager at the Policy Center.
Awareness Campaign: “Is Mom Ok?” Maternal Suicide Awareness, Led by Cherished Mom
Cherished Mom — the nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about postpartum psychosis and maternal suicide — is leading an awareness campaign throughout the month of September urging all of us to ask, “Is mom ok?” and to take real action to end maternal suicide.
They are raising funds, increasing awareness, and sharing a resource to help keep mom safe after baby.
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