Abstract / Summary
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health announced in a news release last week the launch of the National Maternal Mental Health Accelerator, bringing together more than 100 national, state and local organizations to address gaps in access to maternal mental health care. The initiative aims to turn growing awareness of maternal mental health needs into measurable systems change and expanded access to appropriate care by 2030. Participating organizations span the maternal health, mental health, policy, advocacy, philanthropy and community sectors. Among the national members are the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Carter Center. The Accelerator will focus on several priorities, including training providers and eliminating care deserts to improve diagnostics, early identification and treatment pathways; expanding postpartum care beyond the traditional six‐week period through 12 months postpartum; advancing paid leave; and increasing access to no‐ or low‐cost care. Dedicated workstreams will also focus on sharing patients' stories to combat stigma and highlight gaps in care, as well as advancing state and federal policy and research.