In honor of May as Maternal Mental Health Month, we are continuing to lift up a critical bill that seeks to support the maternal health and wellbeing of mothers; specifically Black and other minority mothers who have faced disparities for far too long.

Up to one in five women will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder like postpartum depression, however women of color, or those who are economically disadvantaged, are several times more likely to suffer, and less likely to receive care.

The Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909/S. 484) led by Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), specifically targets expanding access to treatment for maternal health conditions to these populations by:

Providing funding to diversify the maternal mental health and substance use disorder workforce (i.e. increase the number of therapists of color, certified peer support specialists and more) and expand access to culturally competent care.
These investments would take the form of grants to establish schools or programs to provide education and training for individuals or expand the capacity of existing schools or programs, including scholarships for students.
Investing in community-based programs to support those who are expecting and in the postpartum period such as:
- Group prenatal and postpartum care models;
- Collaborative maternity care models;
- Initiatives addressing stigma and raising awareness regarding maternal mental and behavioral health conditions;
- Programs at freestanding birth centers; and
- Suicide prevention programs

These investments would take the form of grants to eligible entities and prioritize those with a focus on racial and ethnic minority groups.

This legislation is part of a twelve-bill package led by Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), entitled the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. To ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Moms Matter Act, click the link here.

These Moms Matter. Congress must take action.