WASHINGTON, D.C. — A groundbreaking $10 million investment in maternal health is set to tackle one of the most overlooked and critical issues in the U.S.: the behavioral health of pregnant and postpartum women. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has awarded grants to launch the Community-Based Maternal Behavioral Health Services Program. This initiative is designed to address behavioral health challenges like postpartum depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder—conditions that impact 1 in 5 new and expectant mothers.
This isn’t just about helping mothers—it’s about transforming the well-being of entire families. Too often, behavioral health issues during pregnancy and postpartum are left untreated, leading to a cascade of negative effects on mothers, children, and their broader communities. With this program, SAMHSA aims to step in where gaps in care have sabotaged the health of so many.
“The mental health and well-being of new and expectant mothers must be protected,” stated HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Supporting maternal behavioral health is an important part of supporting women’s overall health and wellness. This $10 million investment in women’s behavioral health is just another example of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving women’s health in communities across the United States.”
Filling the Gaps in Maternal Health Care
Maternal behavioral health care in the U.S. has been woefully underfunded and undervalued. The statistics are staggering—1 in 5 mothers experiencing behavioral health conditions means millions of families face ripple effects caused by untreated symptoms. Conditions such as postpartum depression or substance use disorders often worsen in silence. Without care, these challenges can derail a mother’s ability to fully recover and care for her child, creating long-term consequences for the entire family.
SAMHSA’s new program is a bold step toward filling these gaps, funding solutions that not only offer more accessible care but emphasize culturally relevant and evidence-based approaches. Community-based organizations will benefit directly from these grants, allowing them to:
- Establish referral pathways within local healthcare systems that ensure seamless transitions in care.
- Train providers to identify early signs of mental health and substance use disorders.
- Strengthen support networks that help women sustain recovery and emotional wellness through the entirety of their perinatal and postpartum periods.
This isn’t a quick fix—it’s a strategic pivot toward preventative care and earlier intervention. For many mothers, early access to care is the difference between temporary struggles and lifelong stability.
Why This Matters for Families and Communities
The significance of this grant ripples far beyond individual mothers. Maternal health is the foundation of a thriving family, and when it falters, everyone feels the impact. For children, untreated maternal mental health issues can lead to developmental delays, emotional difficulties, and an insecure start in life. For communities, the cycle of untreated conditions can strain local healthcare, child welfare, and social support systems.
By investing in resources that provide targeted, compassionate care for mothers, SAMHSA’s initiative marks an essential shift in addressing the root causes of maternal health disparities. Until now, systemic barriers have left at-risk mothers—especially those in underserved communities, such as women of color, rural women, and those living in poverty—without the care they desperately need.
But with these grants, care access grows, cultural barriers shrink, and pathways to holistic health open up. By strengthening referral systems and provider training, this program ensures that no mother falls through the cracks simply because she didn’t know where to turn.
Maternal Health as a National Priority
These efforts align with several high-profile initiatives, including the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, HHS’ Overdose Prevention Strategy, and the President’s Unity Agenda. Together, they’re part of a broader push to elevate maternal health to the level of national urgency it deserves.
The intersection of behavioral health and maternal care is particularly critical as the U.S. grapples with dual crises—mental health and the opioid epidemic. For too long, pregnant and postpartum women experiencing substance use disorders or postpartum mental health struggles have been met with stigma or inadequate care. This program acknowledges their unique challenges while reinforcing that maternal mental health is a societal responsibility—not just a personal one.
“This program could catalyze real, measurable outcomes for women everywhere,” said Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. “We look forward to achieving expanded access to services and increased capacity for providers to identify and address behavioral health conditions in pregnant and postpartum women.”
Looking Ahead to Positive Impact
The grants come with enormous potential to change lives, but their ultimate success depends on implementation. Strong community buy-in, ongoing provider training, and robust data collection will all be critical to ensuring sustainable, wide-reaching impact.
Families are the building blocks of society, and maternal behavioral health is their foundation. When mothers thrive, their children—and by extension, their communities—thrive. With this investment, SAMHSA and the Biden-Harris Administration are not just tackling a health issue; they’re reinforcing the country’s commitment to its mothers.
The ultimate question isn’t whether these programs will make a difference—they will. The real challenge lies in scaling these efforts and fostering partnerships that can carry the work beyond this initial investment. For now, SAMHSA’s $10 million initiative gives reason to hope—and serves as a powerful reminder that when we prioritize mothers, we uplift the future.
24/7 Support for Maternal Mental Health and Crisis Help
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential help 24/7 for women and their families before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA—counselors speak English and Spanish and interpreters can support over 60 languages.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
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