2020 Mom is a national non profit and call to action that sets forth an aggressive new path for solving what some have called one of the biggest public health concerns of our time: the maternal mental health crisis which impacts up to 20% of expecting and new moms. Because of a complicated set of long-standing barriers, expecting and new moms are not consistently screened for mental health problems and therefore not diagnosed and offered treatment, and consequently these moms and families largely suffer in silence. Research suggests that when moderate to severe cases of maternal mental health disorders are left untreated, not only does the mother's health suffer, but so does her infant's, the stability of her marriage or partner relationship, and the long-term health and well being of all of her children. We recognize that change can be scaled if cross-sector partners each play a role. For example, health insurers/payors play a pivotal and foundational role in reimbursing and incentivizing screening and treatment - and in designing a new system of comprehensive mental health care. Obstetricians are now being recognized for their critical role as primary care providers during the perinatal period, and must screen for these disorders, starting early in pregnancy and pre-conception. Recognizing most moms give birth in a hospital and are what we call "Hospital as the Hub of Birth” hospitals can and must educate staff and obstetricians about these disorders and ensure ERs, NICUs, and child birth education leaders are well educated and providing professional and peer support. State and federal public health, mental health and Medicaid agencies can ensure infrastructure is in place and programs are coordinated and informed. Every sector and player can make manageable system changes so moms and families can then be educated, triggers can be reduced, screening and diagnosis can occur, and help can be easily identified when a mom suffers from a maternal mental health disorder.
