Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder are the most prominent complications of pregnancy, child birth, and postpartum; affecting 1 in 5 women. According to the CDC, 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression, and 50% of them are untreated.

As part of AHA's Better Health for Mothers and Babies initiative, this webpage is designed to provide information, resources and best practices to better support hospitals in addressing maternal mental health. Our efforts also recognize the importance of promoting good mental health for children and adolescents. Visit our Child and Adolescent Mental Health webpage for more resources.

Information and Tools

Latest Research

Prioritizing the Mental Health of Mothers and Families

Five keys to a successful maternal mental health program

With perinatal mood and anxiety disorders the single largest complication of pregnancy and childbirth, a new AHA infographic highlights five key ways to prioritize maternal mental health based on hospitals with successful programs. The infographic pulls from learnings shared on a podcast and webinar with hospitals that have strong and innovative maternal mental health programs.

Download

Maternal Mental Health Events

An Improved Standard of Care: The Effects of Social and Behavioral Factors on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

Webinar Recordings

Sep 20, 2022 - 12:00 PM

Virtual Screening of Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story Jul 28

Webinars

Jul 28, 2022 - 02:00 PM

Virtual Screening of Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story

Webinars

Apr 14, 2022 - 01:00 PM

Strong Mental Well-being for Mothers and Families Replay

Webinars

Oct 26, 2021 - 11:00 AM

Maternal Mental Health Resources

Magazine & Journal Articles

Trends in postpartum mental health care before and during COVID‐19

Sep 16, 2022

Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the trend in new postpartum mental health diagnoses increased significantly in the post-COVID-19 period (0.06 percentage points [95%CI 0.01, 0.11]). Findings point to an urgent need to improve screening and treatment pathways for perinatal individuals in the wake of COVID-19.

Blog

Supporting Black Women’s Maternal Mental Health Journey

Jul 19, 2022

Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy or childbirth-related death than White women. The health and well-being of women on their maternal journey – before, during and after childbirth are critical aspects of equitable health care.

Blog

Making Maternal Mental Health a Priority

Apr 7, 2022

According to latest data from the CDC, the U.S. maternal mortality rate, already significantly higher than in comparable countries, continues to rise, specifically for women of color.

Advancing Health Podcast

Restoring Maternal Mental Health

Oct 13, 2021

Joining Aisha Syeda, program manager at the AHA is Dr. Nirmaljit Dhami, the medical director of the inpatient perinatal psychiatry at El Camino Health; and Dr. Alpa Shah, director of the Perinatal Mental Health Clinic at Marshfield Clinic Health System.

Case Studies

Members in Action Case Study: Treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Rural Montana

Jul 29, 2021

St. Peter’s Health, a non-profit health system in Helena, Montana, serves over 97,000 residents across five counties. The system’s Taking Care of You program connected more than 300 patients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and their families, with community resources to support their needs.

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one are experiencing an emotional crisis or thoughts of suicide, support is available. The following services provide free, bilingual, confidential support and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can provide emotional support to pregnant and new moms. Please call or text 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS).

For those experiencing a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.