State releases historic first report on maternal mental health

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the release of New York's first-ever Maternal Mental Health Report detailing the challenges pregnant women are facing, and recommendations for improvements statewide. In addition to the report, the state also made funding available to help OBGYN and family medicine practices support perinatal pregnant women with behavioral health needs and is hosting a series of virtual roundtables to discuss maternal mental health issues. "As New York's first Mom-Governor, this is personal for me — and I'll never stop working to ensure that pregnant women across our state have the support and resources they need," Gov. Hochul said. "Our report and ongoing efforts will help ensure all New Yorkers have access to critical mental health supports that improve outcomes for pregnant women and their children — especially among populations most at risk." Drafted by the Maternal Mental Health Workgroup led by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), the report provides a detailed pathway to improve the mental health of pregnant women statewide, including training to help providers identify specific conditions and improved mental health screening procedures for pregnant women. The report also advocates for the use of doulas and peer support programs, calls for specialized training for 988 crisis counselors and recommends expanding the Collaborative Care Medicaid Program. In addition to the report, OMH made $850,000 available to help OBGYN and family medicine practices provide behavioral health support to their patients — a recommendation included in the maternal mental health report. Secured by Governor Hochul as part of the FY 2026 State Budget, the funding will provide up to 17 awards statewide to expand the psychiatric collaborative care model at these practices, helping them to increase perinatal depression screening and treatment to decrease racial disparities in this care. OMH is also hosting two virtual roundtable discussions focused on reducing the stigma around maternal mental health. Hosted in collaboration with Behavioral Health News, the roundtable discussions include one on Nov. 13 to explore the stigma around maternal mental health, and another on Nov. 20 covering the support programs and solutions available to help pregnant women. As part of an FY 2024 Budget initiative, OMH convened the workgroup and developed recommendations for addressing perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. The workgroup gathered information from subject matter experts and individuals with lived experience to explore the complex issues facing vulnerable, underrepresented pregnant New Yorkers. Nationally, an estimated one in five pregnant women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorder during their pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. Approximately 75 percent of these individuals are not diagnosed or treated, which can lead to potentially grave consequences that range from high-risk pregnancies and poor childhood cognitive development to substance use, self-harm and even suicide. These health issues strike especially deep among Black pregnant women, who are more than twice as likely to suffer a pregnancy-related death than their white peers. Though New York's maternal mortality rate is slightly lower than the national average, Non-Hispanic Black pregnant women are about five times more likely to suffer pregnancy-related death than White pregnant women. Under Gov. Hochul's leadership, New York State is taking steps to improve maternal mental health and correct inequities. The state is developing specialized training for counselors staffing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, so they can better provide compassionate care, support, and necessary resources to birthing parents who experience mental health distress. The state also expanded Project TEACH so that a wider range of front-line practitioners — including therapists, lactation consultants, WIC staff, home visiting nurses and others — can provide mental health support to pregnant and postpartum New Yorkers. OMH has also expanded HealthySteps, an evidence-based prevention program that integrates behavioral health specialists in pediatric practices to address the social and emotional well-being of young children and their families, to incorporate 125 sites statewide.

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State releases historic first report on maternal mental health

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