New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the release of the state’s first report on maternal mental health, which outlines challenges faced by pregnant women and provides recommendations for improvements across New York. The report was prepared by the Maternal Mental Health Workgroup, led by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), and includes suggestions such as provider training, enhanced screening procedures, and expanded support programs.
Governor Hochul emphasized her personal commitment to this issue, stating, “As New York’s first Mom-Governor, this is personal for me — and I’ll never stop working to ensure that pregnant women across our state have the support and resources they need. Our report and ongoing efforts will help ensure all New Yorkers have access to critical mental health supports that improve outcomes for pregnant women and their children — especially among populations most at risk.”
The report recommends increased use of doulas and peer support programs, specialized training for 988 crisis counselors, and expansion of the Collaborative Care Medicaid Program. It also highlights disparities in care among different populations.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of OMH, said, “Robust prenatal and postpartum supports can have a tremendous impact on outcomes for our families. This report shows areas where improvement is needed in our state and starts the discussion on how to best address inequities that are placing some New Yorkers at greater risk. Governor Hochul’s continued focus on maternal mental health is helping us chart a course to better support and improve outcomes for pregnant women statewide.”
Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner, added, “Bringing a new life into the world is a time filled with joy, excitement and hope, but it can also be an overwhelming experience that no parent should face alone. This report shines a light on the real experiences of pregnant women across our state and reminds us that caring for parents’ mental health is caring for families as a whole. I thank Governor Hochul for continuing to build a system that listens, supports and uplifts every person giving birth during this important stage of life.”
To implement recommendations from the report, OMH has made $850,000 available to OBGYN and family medicine practices to expand behavioral health support through up to 17 awards statewide. This funding aims to increase perinatal depression screening and treatment while addressing racial disparities in care.
OMH will also host two virtual roundtable discussions in November focused on reducing stigma around maternal mental health. These events are organized in collaboration with Behavioral Health News.
The workgroup responsible for the report was established as part of an FY 2024 Budget initiative. It included input from subject matter experts as well as individuals with lived experience regarding perinatal mood disorders.
State Senator Samra Brouk commented on legislative efforts behind these initiatives: “The number one most common pregnancy complication facing one in five birthing people is a maternal mental health condition. As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I recognize that in New York State, maternal mental health conditions are the third leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths — that’s why I introduced legislation to create the Maternal Mental Health Workgroup, and got it passed in the State Budget. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the legislature for investing $250,000 to support this workgroup and releasing this report to focus on disparities in care for postpartum mothers to help solve our maternal health crisis.”
Assemblymember Sarah Clark added: “Today’s announcement is a crucial step toward improving maternal mental health outcomes across our state. When I championed legislation for a maternal mental health working group in the Assembly along with Senator Samra Brouk, this was one of the results we were fighting for, a significant commitment to understanding the challenges faced by the most vulnerable in our communities. Creating a clear plan ensures everyone going through labor and delivery in New York will be uniquely seen and supported and will have access to any needed mental health supports. As a mom of three, I know firsthand how mental health struggles after birth can be hard to identify let alone treat. We can and must do more for moms. Thank you to Governor Hochul for your commitment to this crucial cause.”
Nationally, about one in five pregnant women experience perinatal mood or anxiety disorders during pregnancy or within one year postpartum; roughly three-quarters go undiagnosed or untreated—a situation linked with negative outcomes including high-risk pregnancies or poor childhood development.
Disparities are particularly pronounced among Black pregnant women who face more than double the risk of pregnancy-related death compared with white peers; Non-Hispanic Black pregnant women in New York are about five times more likely than White counterparts to suffer such deaths.
In response to these issues under Governor Hochul’s leadership, specialized training is being developed for counselors staffing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline so they can better assist birthing parents experiencing distress.
Project TEACH has been expanded so therapists, lactation consultants, WIC staffers, home visiting nurses—and others—can provide additional support throughout pregnancy or postpartum periods. OMH has also grown HealthySteps—an evidence-based program integrating behavioral specialists into pediatric practices—to include 125 sites statewide.
