Email UpdatesThis week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new national strategy, accompanied by a report to Congress, to address the high rates of maternal mental health and substance use disorders in the United States. The strategy was developed based on recommendations of the Task Force on Maternal Mental Health, a subcommittee within HHS.
The strategy aims to integrate maternal behavioral health services within medical, community, and social services to improve care access and coordination and encourage trauma-informed, culturally sensitive practices.
The strategy’s five pillars highlight the importance of:
- Developed infrastructure that better supports maternal behavioral health.
- Services that are accessible, affordable, and equitable.
- Improved outcomes and accountability through a reliance on data and research.
- Increased prevention and education efforts within communities.
- Amplification of voices from those with lived experience.
For more information on maternal behavioral health and its integration into other practice settings, please refer to the Academy’s “Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Behavioral Health Integration” topic brief. To address maternal substance use concerns, please see the Academy’s Substance Use Tools & Resources for pregnant and post-partum women. For more immediate maternal mental health needs, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline offers free, confidential help. Hotline users can text or call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).