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.
CBS News: 1 In 5 College Students So Stressed They Consider Suicide
College can be so stressful that many students think about killing themselves, and some even try, a new study suggests.
Among more than 67,000 students surveyed, over 20 percent said they . . .
Read MoreThe U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently released a draft recommendation addressing screening women at risk in order to provide counseling as preventive care: Perinatal Depression: Preventive Interventions. You might recall
Read MoreToday, September 10 is International Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day, and it’s time to talk about maternal suicide including maternal suicide reporting in the U.S.
The United Kingdom last reported that suicide is its #1 cause of maternal mortality. Just three days ago, Japan announced the same.
Read MoreAlinne’s story:
BAY AREA, CA - I am a mom, wife, daughter, and sister. I grew up surrounded by strong, independent women who were able to find success (broadly defined) despite adversity. Through my work as a clinical psychologist I’ve heard and experienced countless stories of sacrifice.
Read MoreCarole’s story:
I’m a wife, mother, friend, and leader. I’m very blessed, but I’ve had my share of difficult times, too. I’m moved to help people who need support and don’t have the resources they need.
Read MoreJohn's story:
ST LOUIS, MO - Meet John, a 2020 Mom Board Member, and learn why John is moved to be a part of change in maternal mental health.
My name is John Smith. (The adventures I can tell you about my namesake are legendary.) I'm pleased to be serving as a new board member for 2020 Mom.
Read MoreWe’re introducing a new type of blog post based on your requests - to share “Craveable Content” - a summary of what articles are catching our Founder and Executive Director Joy Burkhard’s eye.
Read MoreDepression is a horrific illness that affects as many as 10% of Americans at any one time. Depression is a brain disease that can cause confusion and distortions in thinking, as well as interference with basic physiologic functions, including: sleep, energy, appetite, motor function and more.
Read MoreWashington D.C. has always been a place that draws me. It is a place of action, compromise, debate, activism. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this year’s Advocacy Days with 2020 Mom. I would like to take a moment to share three aspects of the few days in D.C. that were most impactful and memorable to me.
Read MoreOrigins of Mother’s Day
Did you know? Mother’s Day was officially founded in 1908 by Anna Jarvis in honor of her mother, Ann, who had been a bereaved parent of 12 children, only 4 of whom grew to adulthood. She intended the day to be an intimate celebration within families to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices mothers like hers make for their children.
In one of the latest new articles about AB 2193, in Rewire News, titled "Could a California Bill Be the Key to Addressing Mood Disorders in New Parents?" the writer notes, "The bill takes a somewhat unique approach to this issue, and is one that could become a model for other states."
Read MoreWe love April Dembosky, the reporter that has been covering maternal mental health here in California this year.
Last week, April published another story, "To Screen or Not to Screen - Doctors Debate Postpartum Depression Testing" which is scheduled to publish to Kaiser Health News and National Public Radio this week.
Do a quick read and then come back, as we want to share some points of our own in response to the article. Here goes:
Read MoreThis weekend something that has never happened in the maternal mental health happened:
a mother's story went viral on Facebook.
A mom in Sacramento California, went to her Ob/Gyn on Friday for help with postpartum depression with symptoms of anger and scary thoughts, and the next morning, Saturday, January 20, she posted this:
Read MorePerinatal loss is an unexpected, traumatic, and life-changing event. It includes miscarriage, termination due to medical reason, stillbirth, and infant death. One in four mothers report experiencing perinatal loss, however the number may be as high as 50%. Annually, approximately 24,000 babies will be stillborn (>20 weeks gestation), and an additional 23,000 infants will die within the first 28 days of life.
Read MoreEach year we kick off our work with our annual forum.
This year, Friday, February 9, we are bringing THE biggest name in maternal mental health to the stage to inspire you, educate you and help the field refine our focus through our policy in action table conversations.
Read More2017 was our busiest year yet, we walked the fine line of balancing our passion to drive change and our real ability to do so with limited hours in the day.
Our most substantial achievements this year were release of the California Task Force for MMH white paper in May, building a community of Ambassadors, and launching the Innovation Awards.
Read MoreWe're often asked what statistic to use when describing prevalence of maternal mental health disorders. It's a great question because published statistics vary.
The most often cited stats are:
Read MoreOn November 15, the American Medical Association (AMA) followed in the footsteps of the other trade associations serving women and families to adopt policies calling for screening of maternal depression and anxiety.
The following statement appeared on their website:
Read MoreThe following provider core competencies for maternal mental health were developed and published this year by the California Task Force on Maternal Mental Health Care. The competencies were developed to address the need for baseline knowledge and skills among various provider types treating perinatal women with the aim of improving detection and treatment.
Read More
Over 20 2020 Mom Ambassadors were in the first class to earn their badges this Fall.
Maria was one of them and also was named 2020 Mom’s 2017 Ambassador of the Year. We want you to know what she has been up to. You can also learn more about Maria by visiting her website www.mommamosaic.com or following her on Twitter: @mommamosaic
What brought you to Maternal Mental Health?
I’m a mother of two. My professional background is in psychology, public relations and documentary photography which placed me at an interesting crossroads when I was personally affected by postpartum depression. After my horrific experience falling through the cracks of the maternity care system, I knew I had to do something to help the countless women who were suffering silently as I had. Thus, as many survivors are called to do, I embarked on a larger journey to make a difference on the front lines of maternal mental health and maternity care.
How did you become involved with 2020 Mom and the Ambassador program?
Five years ago when I was working with Wendy Davis and PSI as their PR/Marketing Chair, I heard about Joy and "The 2020 Mom Project." At the time, awareness and discussion about maternal mental health was still mostly limited to the tragedies of postpartum psychosis and the media's brutal portrayal of them. Frustrated, I remember thinking to myself, "We know what isn't working. Let’s try to identify what is working and springboard off of that." Wendy shared that Joy’s mission with 2020 Mom was exactly this — working within an existing infrastructure to identify and close the gaps in maternal mental health. When the opportunity arose to become an Ambassador for 2020 Mom, I jumped at the chance.
Tell us about some of the projects you have been involved with.
This past spring, I was happy to participate in fundraising efforts for the NYC March for Moms team as well as raise ongoing funds for 2020 Mom via my "Wear Your Activism" Momma Mosaic tote bag campaign. The campaign was an independent fundraising campaign under the Ambassador program where I sold a tote bag, and proceeds went to 2020 Mom. What made it special is that each time a bag was purchased I provided the same bag, to a homeless woman, filled with items she needed, like personal hygiene items. I was able to raise $210 for 2020 Mom and do good in my local community at the same time.
What are your plans as a 2020 Mom Ambassador?
Going forward, I am working to organize a diaper drive, a screening of When The Bough Breaks, and a series of fundraising events in New York City to amplify the issues and challenges surrounding motherhood in the U.S. today.
What impacts do you see 2020 Mom and the Ambassador program having?
Today, as a doula, maternal health spokesperson and advocate, I have witnessed firsthand how the conversation is shifting towards a more open and honest dialogue about the state of maternal mental health in the U.S. Now, more than ever, we have to keep working and fighting to affect change in the field. 2020 Mom is doing important work in this regard and I am honored to be counted among their Ambassadors helping in this mission.