Moms need more mental health support! TAKE ACTION

Dear Friend,

“I thought ‘there is no way this is normal, I don’t think this is the baby blues’ but I kept it all to myself, afraid that someone would judge me or take my baby away from me.”
–Hannah

Hannah is just like so many MomsRising members, and moms we hear from, who suffer in silence after giving birth. Hannah is not alone. Maternal mental health conditions are common and our country needs more resources to help birthing people!

Click here to urge Congress to continue supporting resources for maternal mental health.

Hannah is part of the group of 1 in 5 women who struggle with maternal mental health disorders like depression or anxiety in the U.S. – and research shows that this number more than doubled during the pandemic. [1] When maternal mental health disorders are not diagnosed and not treated, these conditions can lead to more serious health issues for the birthing person, their infant, and family. [2] Sadly, maternal mental health disorders are the leading cause of preventable maternal deaths. [3]

Like many people in the United States, moms are also in need of mental health support and it is vital that we urge lawmakers to remember the importance of maternal mental health care.

Demand that our leaders ensure all moms have access to the mental health resources they need.

Despite how common maternal mental health disorders are right now, 50-70% go undiagnosed. [4] Historical inequities, implicit bias, lack of cultural competency and lack of access to providers means that women of color face even higher barriers to seeking treatment. [5]

We must do better for families–the cornerstones of our communities, our economy, and our nation–by prioritizing the health of mothers.

Urge Congress to address the maternal mental health crisis!

The more of us who take action, the faster we’ll be able to make the changes we seek. So after you sign on, please take a moment to share the action link on social media and with friends. 

Together we can, and must, do better for moms, babies, families and our communities.

--Gina, Tina, Monifa, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team

P.S. Did you recently give birth? Please share your postpartum experience with us?

References:

[1] California’s Strategic Plan: A catalyst for shifting statewide systems to improve care across California and beyond

[2] The Maternal Mental Health Crisis Undermines Moms' and Babies' Health

[3] Maternal suicide still a leading cause of death in first postnatal year

[4] Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. (2024, February). A Comprehensive Look at State Maternal Mental Health Screening and Reimbursement Legislation [Report].

[5] Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy, CLASP

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