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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.
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.[2] 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. [3][4]
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. [5][6] 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.
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 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] COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, who survey
[3] The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Women of Color, Research in Women’s Health
[4] Racial and Ethnic Differences in Factors Associated With Early Postpartum Depressive Symptoms. Obstet Gynecol
[5] 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] Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy, CLASP
[6] Vital Signs: Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions About Perinatal Depression — United States, 2018, CDC
[7] Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy, CLASP
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