The Moms Matter Act

Perinatal* Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) impact at least 20% of moms, but are widely underdiagnosed and untreated, leaving moms and other parents to suffer in silence. BIPOC and low-income mothers are more likely to experience PMADs but less likely to receive care.

The Massachusetts Mind the Gap Coalition has come together to address this need. We are focused specifically on the Massachusetts Moms Matter Act (H.1984/S.1261) — a bill establishing two grant programs to expand and diversify the perinatal mental health workforce and invest in community programs that support the mental health and well-being of birthing people and other new parents. This policy effort responds to the recommendations of the state’s Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission calling for more culturally competent maternal mental health professionals, and to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce.

*The period of time from pregnancy up until one year following birth.

MOMS MATTER ACT FACT SHEET

ACTION ALERT: Add the Moms Matter Act to the Senate maternal health bill!

Moms Matter Act Press Coverage

WGBH’s All Things Considered: Shortage of perinatal healthcare workers hurting underrepresented communities

WBZ NewsRadio: Boston Doctors Support Bill To Broaden Access To Perinatal Disorder Care

Boston 25 News: Report: Most states don’t have quality maternal mental health services

WBUR Radio Boston: How to support parents who are suffering from postpartum depression in Massachusetts

Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing: Amplifying Impact and Change Through Coalitions: An interview with Stephanie Crawford, Boston, MA

WBUR: We are failing postpartum mothers, even though we know how to help them

GBH News Greater Boston: Advocates say Massachusetts is failing moms and babies. They’re calling on lawmakers to take action

GBH News Greater Boston: Maternal mental health advocates on the push for care after Duxbury tragedy

Boston Globe Editorial Board: Let Duxbury tragedy be a warning: Postpartum mental health care needs to be a priority

Massachusetts Mind the Gap Steering Committee

Jessie Colbert, Executive Director, Mass. PPD Fund

Stephanie Crawford, M.Ed, Founder, Propa City Community Outreach

Amanda Hollis Garaffo, Esq.

Ashley C. Healy, Esq., Coordinator, Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression

Jenise Katalina, MSW, LICSW, Founder, Rise Leadership and Coaching, LLC, Leadership Team, Women of Color Health Equity Collective

Kerry McCarthy, Cape & Islands Perinatal Wellness Alliance

Jessica Paulino, The EMA Project

Dr. Jo-Anna Rorie, CNM, MSN, MPH, FACM, PhD, Nurse Coordinator, Bridges to Moms, Board Member, Bay State Birth

Chloe Schwartz, MPH, Director, Maternal Infant Health, March of Dimes Boston/New England Market

Tiffany Vassell, RN, Founder, Nurses for Black Maternal Health and Equity Organization

To join the Massachusetts Mind the Gap Coalition email list for meeting invitations, updates, and action alerts and/or to add your organization to the list of endorsers, email Jessie Colbert at jcolbert@massppdfund.org.