The time is NOW to invest in maternal mental health! TAKE ACTION

Dear Friend,

“I suffered from terrible postpartum depression. My doctor didn’t discuss it with me, and I didn’t know what was happening to me.” – Lois

Lois is not alone. So many moms struggle. We can and we must do better and now is the time to do it. Click here and add your name to our letter calling on Congress to support critical funding for maternal mental health before they adjourn for the year.

Time is short. Congress will soon be adjourning for the year, but before they do we must demand that our leaders include maternal mental health legislation in the end-of-year funding priorities!

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]  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]  Besides worsening health problems there is also a national economic cost of $14.2 billion when these disorders are left untreated. [3]  Horrifically, maternal mental health disorder is the leading cause of preventable maternal deaths. [4]

There is legislation pending in Congress that would effectively address the maternal mental health crisis and we must urge our leaders to support it now before they go home this year! Urge Congress to ensure that all moms have access to the mental health resources they need.

The Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Act would provide state funding for maternal mental health programs and for a dedicated national hotline providing 24/7 voice and text support in English and Spanish. The TRIUMPH for New Moms Act will help improve coordination around maternal mental health efforts including the establishment of a national task force to streamline existing programs. And finally, the Moms Matter Act will invest in prevention, intervention, and treatment as well as help grow and diversify the maternal mental health workforce. 

The United States is the most dangerous place to give birth among industrialized nations. [5]  Black and Indigenous women suffer the most due to widespread inequities and racism throughout the healthcare system. [6]  That is why we must also work to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, a comprehensive package of bills that includes significant investments in community-based programs to diversify the maternal health workforce, provide funding for tech to address racism and biases in screening and treatment, and expand mental health treatments and supports.

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, 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] Societal Costs of Untreated Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the United States
[4] Maternal suicide still a leading cause of death in first postnatal year
[5] Visualizing the stark maternal health inequities in the United States
[6] U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis Hits Black Women Hardest

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