Effective Collaboration Improving Maternal Mental Health

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The San Bernardino County Maternal Mental Health Work Group was established in 2014 to address gaps in services and barriers to accessing maternal mental health care, especially for postpartum depression. Up to 80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues”, a temporary condition including feelings of irritability, stress, and mood swings. However, 1 in 7 new mothers will experience Postpartum Depression. The goal of the Maternal Mental Health Work Group, led by the County’s Department of Behavioral Health, Children’s Network, Department of Public Health, First 5 San Bernardino, and Inland Empire United Way 211, is three-fold: • To identify and pull together existing resources in the community that support mothers experiencing postpartum depression • To build the capacity of organizations, such as family resource centers, healthcare providers, and SART (Screening Assessment Referral and Treatment) centers, through training on maternal mental health • To reduce the stigma that exists around maternal mental health issues through general and culturally-relevant campaigns and to encourage mothers to reach out for help For May 2015 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, the Work Group in partnership with San Bernardino County ISD-Multimedia Services, produced a public service announcement emphasizing to mothers and families, “You Are Not Alone”.