Today, Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President Kristine Lucius and Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson convened counselors from the Maternal Mental Health Hotline — a toll-free, confidential hotline that is available 24/7 to respond to the mental health needs of pregnant women, new moms, their families, and the communities that support them.
As the White House marks the two-year anniversary of Vice President Harris announcing the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, this roundtable offered an opportunity to hear directly from 10 of the Hotline counselors about the ways they provide real-time support, encouragement, information, and referrals to those in need. These counselors are licensed mental health clinicians, certified peer specialists, and health care professionals who are trained in perinatal mental health practices. Since being launched on Mother’s Day two years ago, the Hotline has answered more than 40,000 calls and texts. The Hotline offers bilingual counselors in English and Spanish, as well as interpreters who support over 60 additional languages.
During today’s conversation, White House officials emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to support women during pregnancy and during the postpartum period. This is especially important because mental health conditions — including depression, suicide, substance use disorder, depression, suicide, and birth-related PTSD — are the leading causes of pregnancy-related death. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 75% of women with these conditions go untreated, and yet they are almost entirely preventable.
Counselors shared that the top three reasons callers contact the Hotline are feeling overwhelmed, depression, and anxiety. The counselors also spoke about providing a safe space for callers, greeting callers with compassion and respect, and reinforcing that “it’s okay to not be okay.” One participant added that the Hotline is “more than a hotline; it’s a lifeline.”
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) was launched as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to combat maternal mortality and morbidity. Led by Vice President Harris, the effort has focused on reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes and improving the overall experience of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for all women in the United States.
Vice President Harris has consistently led on improving outcomes for women and families throughout her career. While serving in the U.S. Senate, she introduced several landmark bills to address maternal health, including the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. She has built on this work since being sworn in as Vice President. Two years ago, she called on states to expand Medicaid’s postpartum coverage from two months to a full year. To date, 46 states have done so, benefiting women throughout the country.
The Vice President will continue to use her platform to raise public awareness about the maternal health crisis, including maternal mental health, and promote resources available to address it.
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