Maternal Mental Health Week is an important event recognized nationally May 5-11, but for perinatal health care providers, its significance is recognized year-round. 

The importance of mental health among perinatal women cannot be overstated. In addition to affecting the life of the mother, research has demonstrated that perinatal mental health disorders have been shown to increase the risk for psychological and developmental concerns in their children as well.

As a Perinatal Psychiatry Access Program (PPAP), MC3 helps equip providers in Michigan to support the needs of perinatal patients by:

• Educating front-line providers on the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions
• Consulting with providers on complex cases
• Referring providers to local resources for their patients
• Directly supporting perinatal women through our Infant Mental Health-informed Perinatal Patient Care services, offered in select counties

While much progress has been made toward supporting the mental health of mothers and perinatal women, gaps in care still remain. Learn more about the current state of maternal mental health in Michigan in the infographic below.

Sources: 1) James D. Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs are Addressing the Gap in Maternal Mental Health Care — Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance: MMHLA. Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance: MMHLA. https://www.mmhla.org/articles/perinatal-psychiatry-access-programsnbsp-closing-the-gap-in-maternal-mental-health-care. September 13, 2024. 2) Burkhard, J., Murphy C., Childers, A. Maternal Mental Health Dark Zones- Counties with the Highest Risk and Lowest Resources Revealed. Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. https://www.2020mom.org/us-maternal-mental-health-dark-zones-revealed. November 2023. 3) High risk/lowest Resource County List. Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. https://policycentermmh.org/high-risk-lowest-resource-county-list/. November 2023. 4) PRAMS reports. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/prams/reports. 2022. 5) Trost SL, Beauregard J, Njie F, et al. Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees in 36 U.S. States, 2017-2019. CDC, US Dept of Health and Human Services. 2022.

Perinatal health care providers in Michigan are invited to sign up for MC3 psychiatric services at the link below.