By Joy Burkhard, MBA

I founded 2020 Mom 9 years ago this month, because my worlds collided:

- I lost my little brother to suicide. This happened while I worked in the healthcare system and led quality management accreditation for a large mental health insurer. I tried desperately to figure out the mental health system and how to get him help. It didn't work.

- I then had a baby, and with a prior episode of depression - I had no idea I was at risk, and only "walked the line" of a significant depressive episode. I kept my head above water, because my husband couldn't get enough of Alex who we tried to conceive for 2+ years (and who is now 12). He took the night shift, day shift, and helped with anything and everything. I was the lucky one.

- All the while, I also did volunteer work to help low-income moms and families. Intrigued by policy, I raised my hand to be the "Junior Delegate" for the State Public Affairs Committee from the Junior League of Los Angeles. I took it upon myself to formalize the "There Ought to Be a Law" submission process for our league. The 18 Junior Leagues in the state had an opportunity to submit ideas, and of all those submitted, the idea that mothers should be informed of maternal mental health disorders at hospital discharge after birth, stuck. It was unanimous - there should be a law.

That was the start of our magic. Watch more about my worlds colliding, or read more.

That was the start of my journey to do more - the California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative was formed (at the urging of the legislature), later to be renamed after our key project (The 2020 Mom Project): 2020 Mom.

We have accomplished some amazing things over our first nine years. You can see it all in our annual reports/infographics including passing six state and federal policies, forging relationships with the leading trade associations and federal agencies like the CDC, and "tipping dominos" that has led to significant change like the USPSTF recommending screening for moms.

If you are like me, you and your families have had moments of extreme distress with the COVID crisis and with racism being exposed in horrific ways. Those of us with kids and no caregiving reprieve and/or managing schooling at home are really struggling. Moms’ mental health matters now more than ever.

I believe - that mental health care delivery needs to change - starting with moms.

If you believe this too, join us today by adding your name to our “It Matters to Me” wall, a wall we launched in 2011 to track those committed to change.

With much excitement as we head into our next decade,

Joy