Click here for a Maternal Mental Health Awareness month schedule, with details and links to more information.
Spread the word: post social media, and use a themed Zoom background.
Together, Advancing Access to Perinatal Mental Health
The well-being of parents – including their mental health – plays a critical role in children’s development. When a parent is impacted by a mental health disorder, they are less likely to be able to respond to their children’s needs.
Nationally, depression and anxiety affect up to 1 in 5 women during or after pregnancy. For women who experience poverty, it is 1 in 2.
The mental health of fathers, grandparents, and other primary caregivers all influence children’s development as children develop in the context of their relationships with their caregivers. Untreated mental health and substance use disorders negatively impact the quality of the relationship between the caregiver and the developing child.
In order to improve mental health for parents, partners of the Bright Beginnings Initiative work to reduce the stigma around perinatal mental health, and increase access to screening and services. Together, we are weaving a comprehensive, inclusive system of perinatal mental health supports for parents, caregivers, and children.
Are you a new mom looking for emotional support or information?
Parenting Connection of Monterey County can help!
Call the Postpartum Warmline: (831) 783-5933 or visit ParentingConnectionMC.org.
The Monterey County Maternal Mental Health Task Force (MMHTF) is powered by the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Development Initiative. The Task Force brings together advocates and practitioners to expand access to and improve treatment and support for mental health during pregnancy and post birth. Our goal is to advance racial equity in health outcomes, and ensure all birthing people and their families have what they need to thrive during and after pregnancy.
Local Resources from the Task Force
- Maternal Mental Health Resource Posters: Hang where families can see it - waiting room, bulletin boards, etc., or post on your page or social media. [Spanish and English]
- MMH Webinar Series: A free, self-paced, webinar series consisting of three sessions (2 hours each) with a supplemental workbook. [English only]
- Profile of Maternal Mental Health Data 2025: Relevant perinatal data for Monterey County and California [English only]
- Sign up for the monthly newsletter full of resources, and find past issues here. [Follow directions at bottom of newsletter to translate into dozens of languages.]
External Resources
- Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
- National Child & Maternal Health Education Program - Moms’ Mental Health Matters
- Postpartum Support International
- California Health Care Foundation - Improving Maternal Mental Health Care