Advocacy and Awareness
Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance hosts an annual Advocacy Day in March to bring together advocates from across the country to meet with key Members of Congress and their staffs to seek support for legislation and funding to address MMH.
Learn more about 2022 Advocacy Day HERE.
MMHLA’s MMHLA Advocacy Toolkit
This Toolkit is designed to help perinatal mental health (PMH) advocates understand the
importance of their voices in raising awareness and influencing public policy to better support
the mental health of women and other birthing people during the perinatal timeframe (during
pregnancy and year following pregnancy).
Recognizing that advocacy and lobbying may sound scary or feel overwhelming, this Toolkit
provides information and tools to empower advocates to tell their stories effectively, to build an
advocacy network, and to put advocacy into action. Worksheets are provided so advocates can
build their own Toolkits with items such as talking points, scripts for telephone calls, sample
emails and letters, and more.
Individuals and organizations for whom this Toolkit is designed include:
- Individuals with lived PMH experience.
- Family and friends impacted by PMH.
- Medical providers and affiliated medical
professionals who interact with perinatal people. - Mental health providers who treat people experiencing PMH conditions.
- Nonprofit organizations providing services supporting perinatal people.
Toolkit is also available at bit.ly/pmhtoolkit
The Blue Dot is the national symbol for maternal mental health. The Blue Dot Project leads a social media campaign each May to raise awareness and reduce stigma about maternal mental health issues; features stories about survivor-ship, support, and solidarity; and provides infographics, clothing, and accessories featuring the iconic Blue Dot.
Mom Congress™ — hosted by 2020 Mom — is a mother’s membership organization that is addressing the most pressing policy issues of motherhood including what we call the “motherload” (the stress that U.S. mothers carry, at higher rates than other developed countries).
Below is a sample of campaigns aimed at raising awareness about maternal mental health challenges.
- Colorado: Know A Mom Who’s Feeling Down?
- New Jersey: Speak Up When You Are Down
- SAGE Therapeutics: Silence Sucks
- The Blue Dot Project: 2019 MMH Week Awareness Campaign
Postpartum Support International hosts Climb Out of the Darkness each year. Learn more HERE.
Several states host runs & walks to raise awareness about maternal mental health issues, including:
- California Jenny’s Light
- Connecticut Light for Kara 5K
- Kentucky Healthy Mommy 5K
- Minnesota Daisy Dash 5K
- New York Sounds of Silence 5K
- Pennsylvania Run for Joy 5K
- Virginia Shelane’s Run 5K
Books, Movies, Podcasts, Radio, TedTalks, Videos
Scores of books about maternal mental health issues are available; most have been written since 2000.
- Postpartum Support International Book List
- Amazon.com
- Some of our favorites:
- This Isnt’ What I Expected and other Books by Karen Kleiman, MSW, of the Postpartum Stress Center
- Beyond the Blues by Shoshana Bennett PhD and Pec Indman PA EdD MFT (updated in 2019)
Movies
- Dark Side of the Full Moon is a full-length documentary exploring what happens when motherhood collides with mental health.
- Not Carol is a feature length documentary examining a harrowing case of postpartum psychosis.
- When The Bought Breaks — produced by postpartum depression survivor Brooke Shields — explores postpartum depression.
Plays
- Playing Monopoly With God shines a much needed spotlight on the often unspoken traumas of the postpartum experience.
- This Is My Brave hosts story-telling events across the country to to bring stories of mental illness and addiction out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Several podcasts either focus on maternal mental health or feature specific episodes about maternal mental health.
- Adventures with Postpartum Depression. Courtney Novak, a postpartum depression survivor, hosts this podcast with the goal of ending the stigma about postpartum depression through story-telling.
- Economic Hardship Reporting Project. Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sinmi Bamgbose shares how she’s working to expand mental health resources for Black birthing parents.
- Get Healthy 360. In this episode, perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Marley Doyle talks about postpartum depression and other maternal mental health challenges.
- LifeKit. National Public Radio’s podcast features tools to help get through life. This episode is entitled What is Postpartum Depression? Recognizing The Signs and Getting Help.
- Mom and Mind. Perinatal mental health specialist Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D. shares real life stories of moms, dads and family, along with interviews with experts, leaders and advocates in the field of maternal mental health and maternal health.
- Pacific Post Partum Support Society. Beyond Postpartum is the official podcast of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society and includes stories of resilience and recovery from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
- PsychCentral. In this episode of Psych Center, licensed clinical psychologist Emma Basch shares facts and statistics about maternal mental health.
- PostpartumMen. Dr. Will Courtney talks about how men can overcome postpartum depression.
National Public Radio has aired over 100 stories about postpartum depression and related maternal mental health issues in the last decade. Here are the highlights from the last two years:
- Feature-Length Stories
- Morning Edition (January 2020). Week-long series on Women’s Mental Health at Key Stages in Life
- On Point (March 2019). FDA Approves First Postpartum Depression Drug.
- With Pro Publica (2018). The Lost Mothers series explores maternal mortality in the U.S.
- Shorter Stories
- Several articles about the first-ever treatment specifically for postpartum depression (March 2019)
- What is Postpartum Depression? Recognizing the Signs and Getting Help (January 2020)
- Black Mothers Get Less Treatment for Postpartum Depression (November 2019)
- Comedian Stands Up for Mental Health By Talking About Postpartum Depression (June 2019)
- To Prevent Pregnancy-Related Depression, At-Risk Women Advised To Get Counseling (February 2019)
- She Wanted To Be The Perfect Mom, Then Landed in a Psychiatry Unit (January 2019)
- Lawmakers Weigh Pros and Cons of Mandatory Screening for Postpartum Depression (March 2018)
- Nurse Calls Cops After Woman Seeks Help for Postpartum Depression. The Right Call? (February 2018)
Postpartum Support International is the world’s leading organization in supporting women experiencing maternal mental health issues and education the providers who care for them.
The following organizations have videos and public service announcements:
- Cherished Mom
- PBS: Why A Drug For Postpartum Depression Could Be A Game-Changer
- Pacific Postpartum Support Society
- Pinerest Christian Mental Health Services
- Postpartum Support International
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network (features Marlene Freeman, MD)
YouTube has scores of videos about POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION and related maternal mental health issues.
Conferences
North American Society for Psycho-Social Obstetrics and Gynecology
Biennial Meeting
April 22-24 / Ann Arbor MI
Learn more HERE
National Association of Perinatal Social Workers
May 4-7 / Chicago IL
Learn more HERE
Shades of You, Shades of Me Devotion Starts Within Summit
May 5 / Chicago
Learn more HERE
Maternal Mental Health NOW
June 2-3 / Hybrid / In-person in Los Angeles
Learn more HERE
Black Maternal and Mental Health Summit
July 21-22 / Hybrid / In-person in Houston
Learn more HERE.
Postpartum Support International
July 13-17 / New Orleans LA
July 13-14: 2-day Pre-Conference Certificate Course
July 15-17: PSI Main Conference, with keynotes, breakouts, and posters
Learn more HERE
MomCongress
September 18-20 / Washington DC
Learn more HERE
International Marce Society
September 19-21 / London, UK
Learn more HERE
National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry
Advanced Practicum
Save the date: October 7-9 / Pittsburgh PA
Learn more HERE
Black Maternal Health Week
April 11-17
Learn more HERE
National Perinatal Association
May 2-4 / Aurora CO
Learn more HERE
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
May 6-8 / San Diego CA
Learn more HERE
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
May 22-24 / Virtual
Learn more HERE
American College of Nurse Midwives
May 22-26 / Chicago IL
Learn more HERE
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
June 25-29 / Aurora CO
Learn more HERE
National Maternal Health Innovation Symposium
August 2-3 / Hybrid / In-person in Chicago IL
Learn more HERE
Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute
September 17-18 / Washington DC
Learn more HERE
American Academy of Family Physicians
September 20-24 / Washington DC
Learn more HERE
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
September 30 – October 2 / Niagara Falls NY
Learn more HERE
American Academy of Pediatrics
October 7-11 / Anaheim CA
Learn more HERE
March of Dimes Mother-Baby Action Network
October 24-25 / Hybrid / In person in Atlanta GA
Learn more HERE
American Public Health Association
November 6-9 / Boston MA
Learn more HERE
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
March 17-20 / Denver CO
Learn more HERE
American Psychiatric Association
May 21-25 / New Orleans LA
June 7-10 / Online
Learn more HERE
National Alliance on Mental Illness
June 15-18 / Atlanta GA
Learn more HERE
American Psychological Association
August 4-6 / Minneapolis MN
Learn more HERE
Mental Health Services Conference
October 13/14 / Washington DC
Learn more HERE
Economic Considerations
The economic costs and considerations of maternal mental health (MMH) conditions are significant, and include the cost of untreated illnesses and the impact on the baby and family. The following organizations have examined the economic costs and long-term implications of MMH conditions:
- Mathematica (2021): Untreated Maternal Mental Health Conditions in Texas: Costs to Society and to Medicaid
- Mathematica (2019): Societal Costs of Untreated Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the United States
- The Brookings Institute (2019): The Effects of Maternal Depression on Early Childhood Development and Implications for Economic Mobility
- The Rand Corporation (2013): Transforming Systems for Parental Depression and Early Childhood Developmental Delays
- The Wilder Foundation (2010): The Cost of Untreated Maternal Depression
Performance Measures
In 2019, the National Committee for Quality Assurance — with assistance from the ZOMA Foundation and the California Health Care Foundation — developed care quality measures around screening for depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
In 2020, these measures were added to the national Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), which includes measures for physicians, insurance providers, and other organizations.
In 2021, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) added the POSTPARTUM Depression Screening and Follow-Up Measure to the Adult Core Set of measures.
PRENATAL Depression Screening and Follow-Up. The percentage of deliveries in which members were screened for clinical depression while pregnant and, if screened positive, received follow-up care. Two rates are reported:
-
- Depression Screening: The percentage of deliveries in which members were screened for clinical depression during pregnancy using a standardized instrument.
- Follow-Up on Positive Screen: The percentage of deliveries in which members received follow-up care within 30 days of screening positive for depression.
POSTPARTUM Depression Screening and Follow-Up. The percentage of deliveries in which members were screened for clinical depression during the postpartum period and, if screened positive, received follow-up care. Two rates are reported:
-
- Depression Screening: The percentage of deliveries in which members were screened for clinical depression during the postpartum period using a standardized instrument.
- Follow-Up on Positive Screen: The percentage of deliveries in which members received follow-up care within 30 days of screening positive for depression.
In July 2020, a WorkGroup provided an annual review and made recommendations to the Medicaid Core Set of performance measures. The WorkGroup recommended adding the POSTPARTUM Depression Screening and Follow-Up Measure but recommended against adding the PRENATAL Depression Screening and Follow-Up Measure. A public comment period was available until August 10.
Learn more here: Recommendations for Improving the Core Sets of Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid and CHIP. Information about prenatal and postpartum depression screening can be found on pp. 16-18.
____________________________
MMHLA believes strongly that women should be screened for depression (and related maternal mental health conditions) both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. MMHLA took the following actions to encourage the WorkGroup to recommend adding the PRENATAL Depression Screening and Follow-Up Measure:
MMHLA Performance Measures Fact Sheet includes information about the importance of performance measures, along with specific details about the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) performance measures for screening for depression during and following pregnancy.
Policy — Federal
LEGISLATION
Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Act of 2021 (S. 3824 / H.R. 7073)
Download Into the Light Fact Sheet. Learn more about the status of Into the Light HERE.
Into the Light is MMHLA’s cornerstone legislation for the 117th Congress. Introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA) on March 14, 2022, Into the Light contains two key provisions:
- Reauthorizing and expanding grants to states under the Maternal Depression and Related Behavioral Health Disorders (MDRBD) program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The original MDRBD program was established in the 21st Century Cures Act and provided grants to 7 states to create programs to address MMH. Into the Light seeks to reauthorize and expand these grants so that at least half the states receive funding to address MMH.
- Authorizing and funding a dedicated 24/7/365 MMH Hotline to provide real-time voice and text support in both English and Spanish. Hotline staff will provide information, support, brief interventions, and connections to resources and referrals.
FEDERAL FUNDING
The following MMH programs were funded in the FY2022 federal budget:
- Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act ($6.5 million). Funding includes a $1.5 million increase for grants to states to address maternal mental health.
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline ($4 million). Funding includes a $1 million increase to establish a 24/7/365 dedicated MMH hotline to provide support, information, brief interventions, and referrals in both English and Spanish.
LEGISLATION
The American Rescue Plan Act, passed in March 2021, gives states the ability to extend pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage from 60 days postpartum to a full year postpartum. Learn more from the Kaiser Family Foundation HERE.
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 is a collection of 12 separate pieces of legislation that build on existing legislation to comprehensively address every dimension of the maternal health crisis in America. Learn more HERE. The Moms Matter Act focuses specifically on addressing maternal mental health equity by growing and diversifying the MMH workforce and by creating grants for community prevention, intervention, and treatment of MMH. Learn more HERE. The entire Black Maternal Health Momnibus passed the House of Representatives as part of the Build Back Better Act.
The TRIUMPH for New Moms Act — introduced in June 2021 — will improve federal MMH coordination by establishing a national MMH task force and developing a strategy and recommendations for governors to improve MMH. Learn more HERE.
FEDERAL FUNDING
The following programs were funded in the FY2021 federal budget:
- Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act ($5 million). Funding will continue to provide grants to states to address maternal mental health. Seven states (Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont) will each receive a total of $3.2 million over the lifetime of the program (2019-2023). Learn more HERE.
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline ($3 million). Funding will be used to to establish and maintain a maternal mental health hotline to be staffed by qualified counselors, 24 hours a day. Funding may also be used for outreach to raise awareness about maternal mental health issues and the hotline. Learn more HERE.
LEGISLATION.
The following pieces of legislation were included in the National Defense Authorization Act to address maternal mental health:
- Military Mothers Mental Health Assessment Act. The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions among members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such members. Read the entire text of this legislation HERE.
- TRICARE Coverage for Doulas Support Act. The Secretary of Defense shall commence carrying out a 5-year demonstration project designed to evaluate the cost, quality of care, and impact on maternal and fetal outcomes of using extramedical maternal health providers (doulas and lactation consultants) under the TRICARE program to determine the appropriateness of making coverage of such providers under the TRICARE program permanent. Read the entire text of this legislation HERE.
FUNDING.
The following MMH program was funded in the FY2020 federal budget:
- Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act ($5 million). Funding will continue to provide grants to states to address maternal mental health. Seven states (Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont) will each receive a total of $3.2 million over the lifetime of the program (2019-2023). Learn more HERE.
The 2020 Budget includes language requiring the Secretary of the Health and Human Services agency to convene agencies to determine what further role each should play in awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment. The report must be issued to Congress by Wednesday June 17, 2020.
Maternal Mental Health.—The Committee is concerned that up
to 20 percent of new or expectant mothers will experience a maternal
mental health disorder during pregnancy or within the first
year after childbirth—such as depression, anxiety, or postpartum
psychosis. Untreated maternal mental health disorders negatively
impact the short and long-term health of affected mothers and
their children, with symptoms leading to adverse birth outcomes,
impaired maternal-infant bonding, poor infant growth, childhood
emotional and behavioral problems, and significant medical and
economic cost. The Committee directs the Secretary to submit a report,
in consultation with HRSA, SAMSHA, CDC, CMS, Office of
the Surgeon General, Office on Women’s Health, and Office of Minority
Health, to the Committees on Appropriations within 180
days of enactment of this Act on the role that each agency can take
to address gaps in maternal mental health public awareness,
screening, diagnosis and delivery for pregnant and postpartum
women.
In 2018, the initial round of funding ($5 million) for Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows was released. The Department of Health and Human Services (through the Health Resources and Services Administration) announced a competitive grant process for states to apply for grants. Seven states (Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont) will each receive $3.2 million over the lifetime of the program (2019-2023). Read the HRSA announcement.
LEGISLATION
In 2016, the United States Congress enacted the Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act as part of the 21st Century Cures Act. This law provides funding, in the form of grants to the states, for programs addressing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions at the state level. Read the entire text of the law.
Grant Process
The Health and Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, was charged with administering the grants funded through the 21st Century Cures Act. In 2018, 30 states and the District of Columbia applied for these grants; seven states were each awarded 5-year grants (totaling $3.2 million for each state for the lifetime of the program).
In 2010, the United States Congress passed (but never funded) the MOTHER’S Act which called for research into the causes of and best treatments for postpartum depression, a public awareness campaign, a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and psychosis, and a grant program to fund treatment services. While The MOTHERS Act was never funded, it nevertheless was historically significant as it introduced language about postpartum depression into the federal legislative record and garnered support and interest across political parties. Read the entire text of the law
2021: Medicaid. The American Rescue Plan extended pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year postpartum.
2020: Federal legislation (through the National Defense Authorization Act).
- Military Moms Mental Health Assessment Act: The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions among members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such members. Read the entire text of the law.
- TRICARE Coverage for Doula Support Act: The Secretary of Defense shall commence carrying out a 5-year demonstration project designed to evaluate the cost, quality of care, and impact on maternal and fetal outcomes of using extramedical maternal health providers (doulas and lactation consultants) under the TRICARE program to determine the appropriateness of making coverage of such providers under the TRICARE program permanent. Read the entire text of the law.
2020: Federal funding. Congress provided $3 million to establish and maintain a maternal mental health hotline to be staffed by qualified counselors, 24 hours a day. Funding may also be used for outreach to raise awareness about maternal mental health issues and the hotline. Learn more HERE.
2020: President’s budget. The President’s 2020 Budget directed the Secretary of the Health and Human Services agency to provide a report about how agencies address awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment for maternal mental health issues.
2018: Federal funding. The initial round of funding for Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act was released and the Department of Health and Human Services (through the Health Resources and Services Administration) announced a competitive grant process for the states. Thirty states and territories applied for these grants; however, due to limited funding of $5 million, only seven states (Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont) were awarded grants to implement programs addressing maternal mental health. Read the HRSA announcement.
2016: Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act. The United States Congress enacted the Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act as part of the 21st Century Cures Act. This law provides funding for programs addressing maternal mental health issues at the state level. Funding will be provided for FY 2019-2023. Read the entire text of the law.
2010: The MOTHERS Act. The United States Congress passed (but did not fund) the MOTHER’S Act which called for research into the causes of and best treatments for postpartum depression, a public awareness campaign, a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and psychosis, and a grant program to fund treatment services. While The MOTHERS Act was not funded, it nevertheless was historically significant as it introduced language about postpartum depression into the federal legislative record and garnered support and interest across political parties. Read the entire text of the law
Print Materials and Toolkits
Several organizations offer beautiful print materials — no need to create something new!
- 2020 Mom
- Cherished Mom
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- National Institute for Child Health and Human Development
- Noodle Soup
- Maryland’s Healthy New Moms Campaign
- Postpartum Stress Center — clinical tools for professionals
- Postpartum Support International
- Postpartum Support Virginia
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
MMHLA’s MMHLA Advocacy Toolkit
This Toolkit is designed to help perinatal mental health (PMH) advocates understand the
importance of their voices in raising awareness and influencing public policy to better support
the mental health of women and other birthing people during the perinatal timeframe (during
pregnancy and year following pregnancy).
Recognizing that advocacy and lobbying may sound scary or feel overwhelming, this Toolkit
provides information and tools to empower advocates to tell their stories effectively, to build an
advocacy network, and to put advocacy into action. Worksheets are provided so advocates can
build their own Toolkits with items such as talking points, scripts for telephone calls, sample
emails and letters, and more.
Individuals and organizations for whom this Toolkit is designed include:
- Individuals with lived PMH experience.
- Family and friends impacted by PMH.
- Medical providers and affiliated medical
professionals who interact with perinatal people. - Mental health providers who treat people experiencing PMH conditions.
- Nonprofit organizations providing services supporting perinatal people.
Toolkit is also available at bit.ly/pmhtoolkit
The organizations listed below offer FREE comprehensive toolkits for addressing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions.
- American Academy of Family Physicians / Postpartum Depression Toolkit
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists / Postpartum Depression Toolkit
- Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Healthcare (Alliance for Innovations on Maternal Health) / Patient Safety Bundle
- MCPAP for Moms / Toolkit for Providers
- Minnesota Department of Health / Perinatal Mental Health, Information for Health Professionals
- SAMHSA’s Addiction Technology Transfer Center / Perinatal Provider Tookit
- Texas Health and Human Services / Clinician’s Postpartum Depression Toolkit
Professional Education and Development Opportunities
Advanced Training Programs February 2021
This document contains advanced training opportunities, such as those offered by Postpartum Support International, the Postpartum Stress Center, 2020Mom, and other nonprofit organizations addressing maternal mental health.
Postdoctoral Fellowships March 2021
This document contains a listing of postdoctoral fellowship programs throughout the United States.
Psychiatry Fellowship Programs February 2021
This document contains Psychiatry Fellowship Programs across the United States.
Psychiatry Access Programs
Psychiatry Access Programs build capacity to address maternal mental health issues by:
- providing psychiatric consultation to front-line providers, such as obstetricians and family physicians, to help them treat women experiencing maternal mental health disorders
- connecting affected women with additional resources for recovery, including therapists and support groups
- providing one-on-one psychiatric consultation to women with complex maternal mental health issues
Lifeline4Moms is providing programmatic guidance and coordination among the organizations implementing maternal psychiatric access lines, including program development and implementation assistance, training and workforce development, consultation, evaluation and opportunities for collaborations with other health care organizations and states working to integrate perinatal mental health efforts in perinatal care.
These types of programs are patterned after successful psychiatry access programs for children and adolescents. The National Network of Child Psychiatry Access Programs supports existing and emerging child psychiatry consultation programs and works to further national progress toward effective integration of mental health with primary care.
Interested in learning more? The following documents are available to print and share widely:
- MMHLA Perinatal Psychiatry Access Program Fact Sheet — a 1-page overview of these programs
- Promoting The Health of Parents & Children — an 8-page paper from Lifeline4Moms and MMHLA
Legislation
In 2016, the United States Congress enacted the Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act as part of the 21st Century Cures Act. This law provides funding, in the form of grants to the states, for programs addressing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions at the state level. Read the entire text of the law.
Grant Process
The Health and Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, was charged with administering the grants funded through the 21st Century Cures Act. In 2018, 30 states and the District of Columbia applied for these grants; seven states were each awarded 5-year grants (totaling $3.2 million for each state for the lifetime of the program).
Postpartum Support International offers a national Psychiatric Consult Line for medical professionals who have questions about the mental health care related to pregnant and postpartum patients and pre-conception planning. Medical providers can request an appointment with highly-trained reproductive psychiatrists who are members of PSI. Learn more HERE.
Lifeline4Moms is providing programmatic guidance and coordination among the organizations implementing maternal psychiatric access lines, including program development and implementation assistance, training and workforce development, consultation, evaluation and opportunities for collaborations with other health care organizations and states working to integrate perinatal mental health efforts in perinatal care.
The following states have (or are developing) psychiatry access programs. States marked with (*) are HRSA grant recipients.
- Canada / Dignity Health Foundation
- Colorado / Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Florida* / Florida Maternal Mental Health Collaborative
- Georgia* / PEACE for Moms
- Illinois / Collaborative Care Model for Perinatal Depression Support Services
- Kansas* / Kansas Connecting Communities
- Louisiana* / Louisiana Maternal Mental Health Perinatal Partnership
- Massachusetts / MCPAP for Moms
- Michigan / MC3 for Moms
- Montana* / The Meadowlark Initaitive
- North Carolina* / NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS
- Rhode Island* / Moms Psychiatry Resource Network
- Vermont* / Screening, Treatment, and Access for Mothers and Perinatal Partners
- Washington / Partnership Access Line (PAL) for Moms
- Wisconsin / The Periscope Project
Resources for BIPOC Individuals
Resources and Organizations Focused on the maternal health and mental health of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
This list is not meant to be all-inclusive but rather serves as a starting point for finding resources and information.
Akoma Counseling Concepts: A DC-based female minority owned mental health counseling and consultation practice that specializes in women’s mental health and perinatal mental health counseling.
Ancient Song Doula Services: Tackling issues affecting communities of color through community, advocacy, reproductive/birth justice, and education.
Birth Center Equity Fund: The Birth Center Equity Fund focuses on making birth center care an option for every person who wants it, by growing and sustaining birth centers led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. 100% of funds raised go to BIPOC birth centers.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance: An advocacy organization focused on improving the health and well-being of black women through research, policy, and cultural shifts.
Black Mental Wellness: A corporation of clinical psychologists who recognize the need for culturally competent professionals to collaborate and address mental health issues that are prevalent and unique to the experiences of Black people.
Black Women’s Health Imperative: The first nonprofit organization created by Black women to help protect and advance the health and wellness of Black women and girls.
The Bloom Collective: A Baltimore-based center for birth education, lactation, and perinatal support.
Common Sense Childbirth: Founded by midwife Jennie Josphe, the mission of this organization is to inspire change in maternal child health care systems worldwide and to re-empower the birthing mother, father, family and community by supporting the providers, practitioners and agencies that are charged with their care.
Diversity Uplifts: A consulting and training nonprofit organization determined to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities by supporting diverse populations and increasing cultural competence and humility among providers who serve them.
The Loveland Foundation: This fund provides grants to Black women and girls to obtain high-quality mental health care.
Mamatoto Village: A not-for-profit organization committed to furthering the careers of Women of Color and providing perinatal support services to all, including home visiting, doula, childbirth education, and lactation support.
Midwives for Black Lives: This BIPOC midwife collaborative movement was created to improve birth outcomes for Black families through scholarships for Black student midwives.
MomCongress Black Learn, Listen, and Lift Toolkit: This toolkit includes listings of books, films, podcasts, organizations and more designed to help non-Black individuals understand how deeply racism runs in our country and to ensure Black women and Black America are heard, treated equally, and are respected for all that has been endured.
National Association to Advance Black Birth: Working to promote midwives, doulas, and training programs to improve the care of Black women, persons, and infants.
National Black Midwives Alliance: A member-supported organization focused on raising awareness about black midwives and eliminating disparities in U.S. perinatal health.
National Birth Equity Collaborative: Focused on creating solutions that optimize Black maternal and infant health through training, policy advocacy, research, and community-centered collaboration.
Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color: A program within Postpartum Support International geared towards building capacity in the perinatal mental health field to better support families and providers of color around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Shades of Blue Project: A Texas-based nonprofit whose mission is to break cultural barriers in maternal mental health.
Shades of You, Shades of Me: The only conference in the United States focused exclusively on multicultural maternal mental health.
SisterSong: A reproductive justice organization focused on improving the lives of women of color through community organizing and advocacy to catalyze systemic change.
Sunshine Behavioral Health: Mental health issues facing the Black community.
Therapy for Black Girls: Dedicated to decreasing stigma and increasing access to culturally competent mental health care for black people.
Resources for Mothers and Families
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:
- Phone or text access to professional counselors
- Real-time support and information
- Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Resources
- Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups
- Culturally sensitive support
- Counselors who speak English and Spanish
- Interpreter services in 60 languages
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a service provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Health Resources and Services Administration, with a contract to Postpartum Support International, which is the world’s leading organization in providing support and information to new mothers and families.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world’s leading organization in advocating and educating about maternal mental health issues and providing support to women and families affected by these illnesses.
Support to women and families includes:
- Toll-free telephone number (1-800-944-4773) to get basic information, support, and resources.
- Free weekly call-in and online support sessions.
- Coordinators and/or chapters in all 50 states to provide connections to local resources.
- Peer mentor program, which pairs moms (and dads) in need of support with a trained volunteer who has experienced and fully recovered from a maternal mental health disorder.
- Specialized resources for fathers, military mothers, women experiencing psychosis, and women who are incarcerated.
- Provider directory of mental health professionals with advanced training in maternal mental health.
- Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, building build capacity among perinatal professionals to better support individuals, families, and communities of color.
- Climb Out of the Darkness awareness and fundraising event.
- Learning events, including annual conference, webinars, intensive training programs, and certification program.
U.S. Perinatal Inpatient Psychiatry Programs
Arkansas: Little Rock, AK
Women’s Inpatient Unit
California: Mountain View, CA (near San Jose)
El Camino Health Women’s Specialty Unit
North Carolina: Chapel Hill, NC
UNC Perinatal Psych Inpatient Unit
New York: Glen Oaks, NY
Northwell Health Perinatal Psychiatry Service
Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Perinatal Psychiatry Programs
California
- Los Angeles: UCLA CA Resnick/Maternal Mental Health Program
- Mountain View: El Camino Hospital Maternal Outreach Mood Services (MOMS)
- Newport Beach: Hoag Hospital Maternal Mental Health Clinic
- Pasadena: Huntington Memorial Hospital Maternal Wellness Program
- San Diego: UC San Diego Maternal Mental Health Program
Colorado
Florida
- Gainesville: Better Beginnings Mommy & Baby Day Program
Illinois
Michigan
- Grand Rapids: Pine Rest Mother and Baby Program
Minnesota
- Brooklyn Park: PrairieCare Perinatal Mental Health Clinic
- Eden Prairie: Nystrom & Associates, Ltd. Mother Baby Intensive Outpatient Program
- Minneapolis: Hennepin Mother-Baby Day Hospital
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
- New York City: The Motherhood Center of New York
- Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties: Perinatal Psychiatry Services at The Zucker Hillside Hospital and South Oaks Hospital
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia: Drexel University Mother Baby Connections Intensive Outpatient Program
- Pittsburgh: Aleixis Joy D’Achille Center for Women’s Behavioral Health (West Penn Hospital, Allegheny Health Network)
Rhode Island
- Providence: Brown University / Women & Infants Hospital
Utah
- Provo and Riverton: Serenity Recovery and Wellnes
- Salt Lake City: St. Marks Outpatient Perinatal Program
- Salt Lake City: Huntsman Mental Health Institute / University of Utah
- South Jordan: Reach Counseling
Washington
Resources and Organizations Focused on the maternal health and mental health of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
This list is not meant to be all-inclusive but rather serves as a starting point for finding resources and information.
Akoma Counseling Concepts: A DC-based female minority owned mental health counseling and consultation practice that specializes in women’s mental health and perinatal mental health counseling.
Ancient Song Doula Services: Tackling issues affecting communities of color through community, advocacy, reproductive/birth justice, and education.
Birth Center Equity Fund: The Birth Center Equity Fund focuses on making birth center care an option for every person who wants it, by growing and sustaining birth centers led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. 100% of funds raised go to BIPOC birth centers.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance: An advocacy organization focused on improving the health and well-being of black women through research, policy, and cultural shifts.
Black Mental Wellness: A corporation of clinical psychologists who recognize the need for culturally competent professionals to collaborate and address mental health issues that are prevalent and unique to the experiences of Black people.
Black Women’s Health Imperative: The first nonprofit organization created by Black women to help protect and advance the health and wellness of Black women and girls.
The Bloom Collective: A Baltimore-based center for birth education, lactation, and perinatal support.
Common Sense Childbirth: Founded by midwife Jennie Josphe, the mission of this organization is to inspire change in maternal child health care systems worldwide and to re-empower the birthing mother, father, family and community by supporting the providers, practitioners and agencies that are charged with their care.
Diversity Uplifts: A consulting and training nonprofit organization determined to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities by supporting diverse populations and increasing cultural competence and humility among providers who serve them.
The Loveland Foundation: This fund provides grants to Black women and girls to obtain high-quality mental health care.
Mamatoto Village: A not-for-profit organization committed to furthering the careers of Women of Color and providing perinatal support services to all, including home visiting, doula, childbirth education, and lactation support.
Midwives for Black Lives: This BIPOC midwife collaborative movement was created to improve birth outcomes for Black families through scholarships for Black student midwives.
MomCongress Black Learn, Listen, and Lift Toolkit: This toolkit includes listings of books, films, podcasts, organizations and more designed to help non-Black individuals understand how deeply racism runs in our country and to ensure Black women and Black America are heard, treated equally, and are respected for all that has been endured.
National Association to Advance Black Birth: Working to promote midwives, doulas, and training programs to improve the care of Black women, persons, and infants.
National Black Midwives Alliance: A member-supported organization focused on raising awareness about black midwives and eliminating disparities in U.S. perinatal health.
National Birth Equity Collaborative: Focused on creating solutions that optimize Black maternal and infant health through training, policy advocacy, research, and community-centered collaboration.
Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color: A program within Postpartum Support International geared towards building capacity in the perinatal mental health field to better support families and providers of color around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Shades of Blue Project: A Texas-based nonprofit whose mission is to break cultural barriers in maternal mental health.
Shades of You, Shades of Me: The only conference in the United States focused exclusively on multicultural maternal mental health.
SisterSong: A reproductive justice organization focused on improving the lives of women of color through community organizing and advocacy to catalyze systemic change.
Therapy for Black Girls: Dedicated to decreasing stigma and increasing access to culturally competent mental health care for black people.
Screening
While mental health issues are the MOST COMMON complications of pregnancy and childbirth — affecting approximately 1 in 5 women during pregnancy or the first year after being pregnant – these illnesses are often undiagnosed and untreated.
A childbearing woman will see a healthcare provider an average of 25 times during a routine pregnancy and first year of baby’s life. However, no medical provider is required to screen her for mental health issues, and medical professionals often cite lack of knowledge, reimbursement, time, and resources for recovery as barriers to discussing these illnesses or screening for them.
The following national level medical organizations and governing bodies have issued statements encouraging medical providers to screen women for maternal mental health (MMH) conditions during pregnancy and after giving birth:
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American Academy of Pediatricians
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist
- American Psychiatric Association
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
- United States Preventive Services Task Force
Medicaid reimburses screening for maternal depression on a state-by-state basis; learn more.
MMHLA is committed to creating a Gold Standard for screening maternal mental health (MMH) conditions at regular intervals during pregnancy and throughout first year of baby’s life.