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Addressing the Needs of the Perinatal Behavioral Health Workforce
The behavioral health care workforce, including mental health and substance use services, is facing mounting uncertainty at a critical moment. Under the recently passed, One Big Beautiful Bill Act [Congress.gov, 2025], federal loan restrictions will impose strict caps on the borrowing of future...
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Maternal Mental Health in CUNY/SUNY Public Universities as a Workforce Development Strategy
Maternal mental health conditions are the most common complication associated with childbirth1 and the leading cause of maternal mortality in New York.2 Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) include depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum....
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New York State Releases Landmark Maternal Mental Health Policy Roadmap
In a major step forward for maternal mental health policy, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has released a comprehensive 128-page report detailing actionable recommendations, systemic challenges, and aspirational goals to improve mental health outcomes for birthing persons across...
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Recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month: Supporting Maternal Mental Health
September is recognized nationally as Suicide Prevention Month, an important time to raise awareness, share resources, and take action to save lives. While we all work diligently to prevent this tragic loss of life, it is critical to highlight the urgent issue of maternal mental health, including...
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Treating Depression in Pregnancy Is Lifesaving—Here’s What the FDA Panel Got Wrong
This week, the FDA held an unbalanced and largely inaccurate panel discussion on SSRI use during pregnancy. Of the 10 presenters on the panel (three from outside the U.S.), only one represented the robust body of research demonstrating the safety and efficacy of taking SSRIs during the perinatal...
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Maternal Mental Health: Reducing the Stigma Through AI
Maternal depression affects approximately 1 in 5 women in the United States. For many, their struggles go undetected and untreated. It's critical that we acknowledge both the prevalence of this condition and the innovative solutions emerging to address it. The lack of diagnosis of postpartum...
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a Safe, Drug-Free Option for Postpartum Depression Relief
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in seven women, yet too many mothers suffer in silence. Stigma, fear of medication side effects, or simply not knowing about effective alternatives often keep them from getting the help they need. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose...
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Improving Safety with Technologies in Maternal Mental Health
Maternal mental health is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of family well-being and a critical area for innovation in modern healthcare. Each year, thousands of women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), including postpartum depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis....
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Supporting Maternal Mental Health in the Workplace: Policies, Practices, and Culture Change
As more women navigate pregnancy and early motherhood while continuing their careers, organizations must recognize that mental health support during the perinatal period is critical to employee wellness, engagement, and retention. Untreated perinatal mental health conditions, including depression,...
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Collaborating for Change: Building a Stronger System of Maternal Mental Health Support in New York
Effectively addressing maternal mental health requires a comprehensive public health solution that targets risk and protective factors. These include social determinants of health, clinical care, community support, culturally responsive interventions, and policy changes. This is why the New York...
