Mental health is a crucial part of overall healthcare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health problems now account for nearly a quarter of all maternal deaths in the United States, and one in eight new mothers experience postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is a health condition that can occur up to a year after delivery, but usually begins 1-3 weeks after delivery. It is often characterized as strong feelings of sadness and anxiety. Mothers may also experience loss of appetite, insomnia and bonding problems with their baby.
Why is postpartum depression so often undiagnosed? What can be done to prioritize action to create a better future for mothers, babies and families?
Join us as The Hill convenes government officials, lawmakers, maternal mental health advocates and medical experts to discuss America's maternal mental health crisis and possible solutions.
Program segments:
Expand access(in conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)
- Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sponsor, National Midwifery Preparation Act; Sponsor, TRIUMPH for New Moms Act
- Senator 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 BrayboySVP – Public Policy and Government Affairs, March of Dimes
- Chandrika BalgobinMedical Director, Inova Women's Behavioral Health Services
- Aimee DanielsonFounder and Director of the Women's Mental Health Program, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
- Adrienne Griffen, Executive Director, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance; Founder, Postpartum Support Virginia
Maternal Mental Health Task Force(in conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)
- David Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary – Public Health, Office of Regional Health Operations, Department of Health and Human Services; Member of the White House Task Force on Postpartum Depression
A mother's experience(in conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)
- Kamisha Battle Jackson, Perinatal anxiety and depression survivor; Support and Volunteer Manager, Postpartum Support Virginia
Sponsor perspective:
- Vanessa ProcterSVP – External Affairs, Sage Therapeutics
Do you have a question? Reach us on social media@TheHillEventsusing
#TheHillMentalHealth
Sponsored by:
Sage Therapeutics is on a mission to develop solutions to deliver life-changing brain health medicines so that every person can thrive. We believe it is time to usher in a new era in thinking about and treating brain disorders. It starts with our commitment to maternal mental health and our role in bringing to market the only FDA-approved treatments for postpartum depression. With our groundbreaking science, we aim to address the unmet needs of other brain diseases, including essential tremor and cognitive disorders associated with certain neurodegenerative diseases. Integrating the perspectives of patients and healthcare partners into every aspect of our work, from research to commercialization, helps increase our impact. Our purpose is personal and we see the potential to impact millions of people.
