NIH SEEKS INPUT ABOUT RESEARCH
TO ADDRESS MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
NIH is seeking public comment on proposed research to address maternal mental health and other issues affecting maternal mortality, including cardiovascular illness and infection. Efforts will focus on addressing health disparities in maternal mortality and improving data collection, standardization, and availability.
MASS GENERAL COURSE:
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN WOMEN
The terrific faculty from the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health will lead this 6-week online course focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders in women across the lifespan. Course dates: FEB 10 -- MAR 16. Topics include:
  • Major depressive disorder in pregnancy and postpartum
  • Bipolar disorder in the reproductive timeframe
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  • Menopausal transition and depression
  • Substance use disorders and PTSD
  • ADHD in women
MOMGENES FIGHT PPD
Mom Genes Fight PPD (previously called PPD Act) is a research study aimed at understanding the interaction of genes and environment to predict who is at risk of postpartum depression (PPD).

Mom Genes is seeking to collect data and saliva from 100,000 women who experienced PPD.

Mom Genes is led by an international group of academic clinicians and scientists from the United States (University of North Carolina / Chapel Hill), Australia, Canada, Sweden, and Denmark.
STEP 1: Women download the app and answer questions about childbirth and mood / anxiety symptoms that happened after giving birth. Answers to the survey determine if women are eligible to receive the saliva sample kit.

STEP 2: Some women will be asked to give a saliva sample (by spitting in a tube). DNA from this sample will be scanned to identify genetic differences in women who experience PPD, allowing new treatments to be developed.
MAY ADVOCACY EVENTS IN WASHINGTON DC
MAY 3, 2020
March for Moms hosts a rally the first Sunday in May, bringing together the diverse voices of those who support the health and well-being of mothers and their families. The March is an all-age family-friendly event featuring entertainment, speakers, music, art, and more. Learn more HERE.
MAY 3-5, 2020
Mom Congress is a coalition of non-profit organizations, individual moms, and business partners who come together in May to have conversation about motherhood with legislators, federal agencies and the media. Be part of the ongoing discussion about moms' health. Learn more HERE .
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
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.