New York State Releases Landmark Maternal Mental Health Policy Roadmap

• By: Staff Writer Behavioral Health News
• November 6th, 2025
• doulas, integrated care, maternal mental health, peer support, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, PMADs, policy, postpartum depression, stigma reduction, treatment reform
• 403    0

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...

Recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month: Supporting Maternal Mental Health

• By: Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
• September 18th, 2025
• 988 suicide lifeline, maternal mental health, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, postpartum suicide risk, prevention and support, risk factors, suicide, suicide prevention month, warning signs
• 395    0

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...

Treating Depression in Pregnancy Is Lifesaving—Here’s What the FDA Panel Got Wrong

• By: Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health Specialist and Adjunct Professor, Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College
• July 24th, 2025
• FDA policy, health equity, maternal mental health, mental health, mental health stigma, perinatal depression, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, postpartum depression, pregnancy, reproductive health access, ssri treatment, suicide prevention
• 1049    0

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...