This week marked a watershed moment for maternal mental health as the National Maternal Mental Health (MMH) Accelerator held its inaugural member convening. Led by Founder Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, the Accelerator has united over 140 organizations to drive systemic change and expanded access to appropriate care by 2030.
On Wednesday, leaders from 100 member organizations joined us to learn more about the Accelerator’s near term plans and hear from two of the leaders at Neutrogena, our founding sponsor whose financial support made the launch of the Accelerator possible. The Accelerator is also supported by funding partner the Flourish Impact Fund.
At the event we announced that the Accelerator named key federal and state government agencies as “Aligned” agencies, including the Federal Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The event also introduced members to the Accelerator’s advisors, who bring their own diverse perspectives and lived experiences to guide the Accelerator's efforts. Advisors include leaders from The Motherhood Center, Cherished Mom, Chamber of Mothers, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies America, the Shades of Blue Project, The Harris Poll, and Inseparable.
Core Campaign Pillars
Joy Burkhard reviewed the Accelerator’s focus on six core campaign pillars:
Postpartum Care Expanded: Ending the traditional six-week care cliff to ensure a continuous postpartum medical home.
Providers Trained & Care Deserts Erased: Improving diagnostics and early identification to make baseline mental health and maternity care accessible.
Providing No to Low-Cost Care: Removing affordability as a barrier to interventions and treatment.
Paid Leave for All: Ensuring mothers have time to heal and allowing family members time to provide support during mental health crises.
Policy & Research Advancement: Driving systemic change through state and federal policy and ongoing research.
Patient's Stories Told: Illuminating gaps in care, combating stigma, and providing hope through lived experiences.
Federal Task Force Alignment & Member Priorities
The Accelerator’s work will advance key recommendations of the Federal Maternal Mental Health Task Force and during the the convening, polled members to learn about their highest priorities.
First the were polled on which of the Task Force's focus areas best fit their organization's highest priority. The live poll results revealed:
24% – Communications & Community Engagement
21% – Prevention, Screening & Diagnosis
21% – Evidence-Based Community Practices
20% – Evidence-Based Intervention & Treatment
14% – Data, Research, Quality Improvement & Health Equity
A second poll asked members to identify their priority strategy based on Task Force recommendations moving forward. The live poll results revealed:
66% – Maternity Care Centers in Deserts: FQHCs w/ midwifery, Ob/Gyns, birth facilities, MH/SUD & pediatrics
20% – Psychiatry Consultation: Dedicated consultation access for OB providers in all states
14% – Child Welfare Interactions: Improve/clarify rules regarding mandatory support vs. reporting
Next Steps and Getting Involved
We explained the following areas
Task Force Workstreams: Launching in the coming months, these dedicated workstreams will tackle core Accelerator topics.
New Podcast: An upcoming podcast will unpack healthcare dilemmas and center patient stories to drive policy change.
Story Collection: Those impacted by maternal mental health conditions are invited to “Share Your Story” - we note that behind the 1 in 5 statistic is a face, name and hardship. These real-life stories will be shared by the Accelerator to highlight the policies needed to close gaps.
Share Your Thoughts: We covered the “Share Your Thoughts” opportunity for members and non members to share their questions, dilemmas, and ideas about maternal mental health which may be featured in an upcoming article or podcast episode.
Join Us!
Membership/Partnership is open to Non-profits Organizations (including Academic centers), Associations, Philanthropy (that has funded MMH or Maternal Health or Mental Health), healthcare payers (non-profit or for-profit) and health systems (non-profit or for-profit). Federal and state government agencies are welcome to join as Aligned Government Agencies. Membership is subject to approval.
For-profit corporations and philanthropy are also invited to become sponsors.
