BECOME A MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
Still searching for a New Year's Resolution?
How about becoming a Maternal Mental Health Advocate?

ADVOCACY (def):
public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy

Here are a few ideas about how to get involved
in maternal mental health advocacy in 2020.
Kickoff: January 20, 2020
Motherly -- the digital community that informs moms about the latest news, expert insights, innovative products, and helpful services -- is leading the effort to make 2020 the #yearofthemother. Motherly, along with MomCongress (see below), is calling on leaders at all levels, from presidential candidates to employers in the community, to take action to help mothers move from surviving motherhood to thriving in motherhood. Learn more HERE.

Motherly offers 3 easy steps to get involved:
  1. MARK YOUR CALENDAR to promote the official launch of #yearofthemother social media campaign on January 20. HERE are social media images.
  2. START A CONVERSATION in your community by hosting an event to get the conversation started. HERE are some questions to get started.
  3. KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING by using #yearofthemother on social media throughout 2020.
May 3, 2020 / Washington DC
The 4th annual March for Moms Rally -- held on the National Mall in Washington DC the first Sunday of May -- brings together the diverse voices of those who support the health and well-being of mothers and their families.

The March starts at 1 pm and is an all-age family-friendly event featuring entertainment, speakers, music, art, and more. Be part of the action!

LEARN MORE HERE
Improving the health and well-being of
mothers through advocacy and awareness

FEDERAL LEGISLATION . March for Moms keeps an eye on federal legislation affecting women's health with info such as bill name, summary of bill, and legislative status.

STATE LEGISLATION . March for Moms also advocates for state reforms, including:
  • Extending Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum for all eligible women
  • Medicaid coverage for doula services
  • Integration of perinatal mental health screening and treatment
  • Improved data, transparency, and quality improvement efforts addressing maternal mortality and morbidity
May 3-5, 2020 / Washington DC
MomCongress brings together individual mothers, non-profit organizations,
and business partners to advocate for legislative change on Capitol Hill.
This year's MomCongress platform includes maternal mental health,
maternal mortality, and paid family leave. Learn more HERE.
MATERNAL
MENTAL HEALTH
MATERNAL
MORTALITY
PAID
FAMILY LEAVE
#MomCongress2020
#ItsTimeToSupportMoms
#UseYourMomVoice
Motherhood Is Not Black and White

Each May since 2014, The Blue Dot Project has led Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, a social media campaign to raise awareness about maternal mental health issues. Each year the theme changes, but the aim is the same: combat stigma and shame through social media outreach. Learn more HERE.
#MMHWeek2020
#MakingOverMotherhood

July 19-25, 2020 

BMMHW was created to help push awareness and induce action around maternal mental health complications affecting black women during and after childbirth.

LEARN MORE HERE
Breaking cultural barriers
in maternal mental health

The goal of BMMHW is to have those who work in maternal health make a commitment to incorporate black maternal mental health in all areas of their practice, thus changing how maternal mental health currently goes untreated among black women.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -- RESPECT -- SUPPORT
#bmmhw2020
#MakeShiftHappen
Working with Policy Makers to Address Maternal Mental Health Challenges
MMHLA -- founded in 2018 -- is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting the mental health of childbearing women in the United States
by advocating for universal education, screening, referral, and treatment
of postpartum depression and related maternal mental health (MMH) challenges.

Our vision is that all childbearing women in the United States will be educated about and screened for maternal mental health challenges and have access to resources for recovery.