History

The National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health (NCMMH) was formed in 2014, bringing together the country’s leading voices addressing maternal mental health disorders –  to create and implement uniform awareness campaigns, engage thought leaders from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and March of Dimes, and drive national policy and advocacy and to provide hope and resources to women and their families who are impacted by postpartum disorders. The coalition was a project of 2020 Mom (now the Policy Center for MMH).

Leaders included individuals and national and regional member organizations. The founding organizations included 2020 Mom, Postpartum Support International, Postpartum Progress, MotherWoman (Hadley, MA). Other regional organizations included but were not limited to Maternal Mental Health Now (Los Angeles, Calif.), and Postpartum Health Alliance (San Diego, Calif.). In 2016, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Marce Society of North America joined the coalition’s efforts.

 In 2017, 2020 Mom paused the coalition when two of the founding members shut their doors (Postpartum Support International) or pivoted away from Maternal Mental Health advocacy (MotherWoman).

Where We are Headed

In 2024, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health relaunched the coalition with an eye on implementing proven interventions and clinical treatments and model community-based interventions aligned with these Strategic Imperatives:

  1. Build up referral pathways to clinical resources, including licensed behavioral health providers, outpatient programs, inpatient programs, and drug and tech treatments specific to MMH.

  2. Build up of community-based support and parenting groups through care delivery of workforce (community health workers, certified peer support specialists, and doulas, for example) trained in maternal mental health and anchored in organizations interested in billing for care.

  3. Facilitating the adoption of screening and the continuum of behavioral health integration (BHI) by obstetric care providers (Ob/Gyns, Midwives, and Family Practice Physicians who provide obstetric care).

  4. Development of comprehensive obstetric service centers starting in obstetric care deserts.