By Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS

In December 2019, as a result of 2020 Mom’s advocacy efforts, the House Committee on Appropriations requested that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) develop a report on the role of HHS in addressing maternal mental health (MMH). HHS released their report earlier this year, summarizing existing programs and resources that exist to serve individuals with MMH disorders. For the purpose of the report, HHS defined MMH disorders as depression, anxiety, and psychosis during pregnancy or one year postpartum.

In the report, HHS compiled a list of existing federal MMH programs and resources by agency, which includes:

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
- Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression and Related Behavioral Disorders (MDRBD) Program
- Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program
- Behavioral Health Integration program
- HRSA-Funded Health Centers
- Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP): Collaboration and Innovation for Equity and Healthy Families
- Rural Communities Opioid Response Program
- Depression and Anxiety During & After Pregnancy (brochure)
- Depression During and After Pregnancy booklets in English and Spanish (online resource)
- Webinars on telehealth, American Indian/Alaska Native Maternal and Child Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Serious Mental Illness Adviser
- Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers
- Project LAUNCH and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- CDC Division of Reproductive Health (DRH)
- Program in Support of Moms (PRISM)
- Mental Health of Mothers Study (MHOMS) and Substance Use Evaluation Network
- Lean Program In Support of Moms Implementation
- Vital Signs publication on Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions about Perinatal Depression
- Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System
- Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality
- CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Health Interview Survey
- CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System
- National Birth Defects Prevention Study
- Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy Exposures
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Maternal Infant Health Initiative
- Rural Obstetric Readiness Workgroup
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH)
- Office of Women’s Health (OWH) webpage
- OWH Postpartum Depression Media Campaign (expected to launch in 2022)
- Office of Minority Health fact sheets on mental health issues among women

HHS concludes that its agencies have made maternal mental health a priority. Though 2020 Mom applauds HHS’ efforts, and supports ongoing investments in programs to serve moms struggling with mental health and substance use disorders, we believe more coordination, review of any duplicative efforts, and identification of additional agency needs must be prioritized. This is why 2020 Mom is championing the Taskforce Recommending Improvements for Unaddressed Mental Perinatal & Postpartum Health for New Moms Act--otherwise known as the TRIUMPH for New Moms Act. The Act is being led by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44th District), Larry Bucshon (R-IN-8th District), Young Kim (R-CA-39th District), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-District At-Large). This bill would create a federal interagency task force, led by HHS, to better coordinate federal programs that address maternal mental health. If your member of Congress has not yet signed on in support of the TRIUMPH Act (click here to check), contact them today urging them to support this legislation.