Add your name now to our letter urging Congress to ensure that all moms
have access to the mental health resources they need.
[ [link removed] ]Take Action Now
[ [link removed] ]SIGN NOW

Dear Friend,

14 months. It’s been 14 months since the COVID-19 crisis began and no one
has felt the stress more than mothers, particularly new moms and new moms
to be. 

[ [link removed] ]Click here and add your name to our letter calling on Congress to
support critical funding for maternal mental health.

Right now up to 1 in 5 women suffer from maternal mental health disorders
like depression or anxiety in the U.S. and research shows that this number
has more than doubled during the pandemic. [1] MomsRising member,
Stephanie from California shared, “I've had a lot of anxiety over
infection risks, possibility of getting quarantined from my baby,
possibility of no labor support, and what to do with my toddler with a
closed daycare.”

We’ve heard from so many moms like Stephanie over the last year, who have
struggled with anxiety and depression. Increased demand and barriers to
mental health care because of the pandemic, mean even fewer moms have been
able to receive treatment.[ [link removed] ] This is particularly concerning for moms of
color who have faced a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and are
experiencing maternal mental health disorders at rates 2-3 times higher
than white women. [ [link removed] ][ [link removed] ]

[2]Click here and add your name now to our letter urging Congress to
ensure that all moms have access to the mental health resources they need.

Let’s be clear, perinatal and postpartum disorders during pregnancy and
after birth, are as common as gestational diabetes, but stigma, fear, and
lack of information means we don’t talk about it as much as we should. In
fact, maternal mental health disorders like postpartum depression are the
number one complication of childbirth, yet 1 in 5 women report NOT being
screened for maternal depression despite universal screening being
recommended. [ [link removed] ][ [link removed] ] Historically 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 can and we must do better for mothers and babies. Congress is setting
its funding priorities for the year and must increase support for maternal
mental health, including $5 million dollars for the maternal mental health
hotline and $5 million dollars for screening and treatment of maternal
depression. We must also work to pass the  Black Maternal Health Momnibus
that includes significant investments in community-based programs that
provide mental and behavioral health treatments and support, ensures
veterans get the mental health resources they need and offers additional
funding for tech advancements in screening and treatment.  Congress must
prioritize the health and well-being of mothers and babies by increasing
funding for maternal mental health.

[3]Add your name now so I can make sure your voice is heard too, and be
sure to share the link below with your friends and family so they can also
take action.

Together we can ensure healthy outcomes for moms, babies, families and our
communities.

-- Tina, Donna, and the whole MomsRising.org/MamásConPoder Team

P.S. Did you recently give birth? Please [4]share your postpartum
experience with us?  

References:

[1] [5]California’s Strategic Plan: A catalyst for shifting statewide
systems to improve care across California and beyond
[2] [6]COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, who
survey
[3] [ [link removed] ]The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Women of Color, Research
in Women’s Health
[4] [ [link removed] ]Racial and Ethnic Differences in Factors Associated With Early
Postpartum Depressive Symptoms. Obstet Gynecol
[5] [ [link removed] ]Perinatal depression: a systematic review of prevalence and
incidence. Gavin NI, Gaynes BN, Lohr KN, Meltzer-Brody S, Gartlehner G,
Swinson T.  Obstet Gynecol
[5] [ [link removed] ]Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy, CLASP
[6]  [ [link removed] ]Vital Signs: Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider
Discussions About Perinatal Depression — United States, 2018, CDC
[7] [ [link removed] ]Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy, CLASP


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