Closing Gaps in Maternal Mental Healthcare
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health is a national think tank, nonprofit organization advancing policies that support a health care system that routinely detects and treats maternal mental health disorders for every mother, every time.
While maternal mental health (MMH) disorders can impact anyone during pregnancy or the postpartum period, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) mothers experience higher than average risk and prevalence for MMH disorders.
Read MoreIn March, The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health announced at the 2023 annual FORUM plans to unveil Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards this May.
Read MoreThis year we had amazing participation in our webinars. We’ve gathered our three most popular webinars. Check out the countdown, and watch any you may have missed!
Read MoreWe’ve gathered the most viewed blogs published this year and listed those covering Policy topics separately. See if you’ve read them all as you skim through the countdown.
Read MoreWe’ve gathered our most viewed web pages this year. See if there’s something you’re interested in learning more about as you skim through the countdown.
Read MoreThe first set of U.S. maternal depression screening data is now available - through HEDIS. Not surprisingly, screening in both pregnancy and the postpartum period was reported at less than 20%.
Read MoreSince 2018, 2020 Mom has been working to highlight the issue of maternal suicide and drive action to improve maternal suicide rates in the US. As maternal suicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the US and is intricately connected with maternal mental health disorders, 2020 Mom has been a strong proponent and a catalyst for the implementation and integration of suicide prevention programs into maternal healthcare.
This week, 2020 Mom released his week, 2020 Mom released an issue brief on maternal suicide, which presents the latest facts and issues on maternal suicide, including:
Read MoreResearch shows that women with disabilities, including mental illness, have an increased risk for pregnancy complications. While most studies in the past examined the association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and inferred disabilities from diagnosis codes, a recent study included self-reported disability status data. This study found that 19.5% of participants who had given birth self-reported a disability, which is significantly higher than the U.S. prevalence estimated from diagnosis codes.
Read MoreAt the urging of health care leaders, like 2020 Mom, and with funding from the California Health Care Foundation and the ZOMA Foundation, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) developed two measures for health insurance plans to monitor how often screening and follow up for maternal depression is occurring in the U.S.
Read MoreSubstance use disorders affect millions of people every year and substance use among women is increasing. Like many other diseases, substance use disorders are both preventable and treatable. However, people who suffer from these disorders are forced to navigate an often unwelcoming and fragmented health care system and a profound degree of stigma when seeking support, education, and treatment.
Read MoreThe postnatal phase, defined here as the first six weeks after delivery, is a critical time for mothers, newborns, partners, parents, caregivers, and families; however this period of significant transition remains the most neglected phase in quality maternal and newborn health care.
On March 30th, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched global guidance for a positive postnatal experience. A total of 63 recommendations are made.
Read MoreUniversal Screening or assessment for maternal mental health (MMH) disorders, like postpartum depression, is recommended by all leading medical and provider associations. The need for improved screening rates has recently gained more traction with providers and the media given the pandemic’s impact on mothers and mental health and with the heightened interest in maternal mortality, including suicide.
Read MoreIn honor of Black History Month, we recognize and appreciate the imperative work of our Black-led non-profit partner organizations. Not just this month, but throughout the year – we encourage you to support them through learning more about their work and to consider giving resources if you can.
Read MoreWe’ve gathered the most viewed blogs published this year. See if you’ve read them all as you skim through the countdown of our top 5.
We’ve gathered our most viewed web pages this year. See if there’s something you’re interested in learning more about as you skim through the countdown of our top 5.
Suicide prevention is always important, but maternal suicide prevention is especially important to me. Twelve years ago, my sister died by suicide just three weeks after the birth of her first and only child. Like many new mothers, my sister was so excited for her first child.
Read MoreFormally recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2008 (and currently designated as), Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face regarding mental illness in the US. As an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate, Bebe Moore Campbell worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities.
Read MorePortia Smith’s most vivid memories of her daughter Nelly’s first year are of tears. Not the baby’s. Her own.
“I would just hold her and cry all day,” Smith recalled.
At 18, Smith was caring for two children, 4-year-old Kelaiah and newborn Nelly, with little help from her abusive partner. The circumstances were difficult, but she knew the tears were more than that.
Read MoreIntroduction
Adverse babyhood experiences (ABEs) are a new construct derived from large bodies of research that identify a different group of risk factors from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ABEs influence infant and maternal morbidity and mortality as well as risk for chronic illnesses and other chronic conditions in the child as well as symptoms in fathers and other partners.
Read MoreHere are 9 ideas for how YOU can build momentum to improve #MaternalMentalHealth:
Join us May 20 for a Maternal Mental Health Day of Action to call/email your members of Congress to support the #MomsMatterAct
Are you a mom or family member with lived experience with maternal mental health (MMH) disorders? If so, share your story in TheBlueDotProject story bank.