Our Vision

Compassionate, culturally appropriate, universal mental health support for parents.

Our Mission

The Mass. PPD Fund’s mission is to increase communities’ capacity to address the mental health needs of new parents in Massachusetts. We combat stigma and raise awareness of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and available resources with parents, providers, and the public. We provide scholarships and facilitate training on perinatal mental health for all kinds of providers. And we champion public policies and best practices that support the mental health and wellbeing of all families with babies and young children.

Our History

The Mass. PPD Fund was founded in 2018 in response to the need for more awareness and services around new parent mental health in Massachusetts. Despite groundbreaking state initiatives like The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression and MCPAP for Moms, we felt that too many parents facing postpartum depression or other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) were suffering alone without help or hope. We also felt that this critical family and mental health issue – the #1 complication of pregnancy – didn’t have the investment it deserved or its rightful place in the public conversation.

Since our founding five years ago, the Fund has already made a strong impact lifting up new parent mental health and bringing people together to make a difference. We have raised awareness of PMADs and available resources in a range of settings, and facilitated multiple training opportunities for diverse providers in partnership with Postpartum Support International, GPS Group Peer Support, and the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. During the pandemic, we responded quickly to parents’ increased stress and isolation by working with GPS to significantly increase community-based online support groups. We have been a key part of building local support for new parents in underserved areas and pushing for statewide systems change. Our wellness-themed annual event, Flourishing, is a can’t-miss afternoon for survivors, providers, and others who care about our issue to come together in community to celebrate, learn and recharge. We’re happy you found us!