Moms Matter — Closing the Maternal Mental Health Gap: Watch live

Mental health is a critical element in overall health care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health conditions now account for nearly a quarter of all maternal deaths in the United States, and one out of eight new moms experiences postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is a health condition that can occur up to one year after having a baby, but most commonly starts 1-3 weeks after childbirth. It is often characterized as strong feelings of sadness and anxiety. Moms may also experience a loss of appetite, insomnia and difficulty bonding with their baby. 

Why is postpartum depression so often undiagnosed? What can be done to prioritize action to create a better future for moms, babies and families?

Tune in as The Hill convenes administration officials, lawmakers, maternal mental health advocates and medical experts to discuss America’s maternal mental health crisis and possible solutions.

Program Segments:

Expanding Access (in conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sponsor, Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act; Sponsor, TRIUMPH for New Moms Act
• Sen. Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Co-Sponsor, Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act; Co-Sponsor, NIH IMPROVE Act

Panel: Barriers To Postpartum Care (in conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)

• Stacey Brayboy, SVP – Public Policy & Government Affairs, March of Dimes
• Chandrika Balgobin, Medical Director, Inova Women’s Behavioral Health Services
• Aimee Danielson, Founder & Director, Women’s Mental Health Program, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• Adrienne Griffen, Executive Director, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance; Founder, Postpartum Support Virginia

Task Force on Maternal Mental Health (in conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• David Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary – Health, Office of Regional Health Operations, Department of Health & Human Services; Member, White House Task Force for Postpartum Depression

A Mother’s Experience (in conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)

• Kamisha Battle-Jackson, Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Survivor; Support & Volunteer Manager, Postpartum Support Virginia

Sponsor Perspective:

• Vanessa Procter, SVP – External Affairs, Sage Therapeutics

Have a question? Reach us on social media @TheHillEvents using
#TheHillMentalHealth

Sponsored by:

Sage Therapeutics is on a mission to pioneer solutions to deliver life-changing brain health medicines so that every person can thrive. We believe that it is time to usher in a new era in how to think about and treat brain health disorders. It starts with our commitment to maternal mental health and our role in bringing the only FDA-approved treatments for postpartum depression to market. Through our pioneering science, we aim to address unmet needs of other brain health disorders, including essential tremor and cognitive impairment associated with certain neurodegenerative diseases. Integrating the patient and care partner perspectives into every aspect of our work, from research to commercialization helps accelerate our impact. Our purpose is personal, and we see the potential to impact millions of people.