Perinatal Mental Health

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.