On March 28, the White House released the President's FY23 budget, putting the federal budgeting process into motion. The budget included the following statement (see p. 67) about maternal mental health, along with specific funding for MMH programs:

The White House also announced a Proclamation on Black Maternal Health, recognizing Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) and renewing commitment to addressing the crisis of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States. Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as white women, regardless of income or educa-tion. According to the Proclamation:

NIH's Office of Research on Women's Health has published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public comments and input on research gaps, clinical practice needs, and research opportunities at the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and the health of women. Due date is May 6, 2022. Learn more HERE.

The U.S. Surgeon General has published a Request for Information (RFI) calling for research, data, and personal experiences related to health misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to deepen understanding of the sources of health misinformation and its impact. Due date is May 2, 2022. Learn more HERE.

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a grant opportunity focused on reducing postpartum deaths due to drug overdose. As a reminder, suicide and overdose combined are the leading cause of death for women in the first year following pregnancy. Due date is June 6, 2022. Learn more HERE.

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry — Association of COVID-19 and Endemic Systemic Racism With Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Among Black Birthing Individuals — shows that Black birthing people experienced increased negative postpartum mental health during the pandemic.

The study explains that the intersection of endemic structural racism and the COVID-19 pandemic represents a syndemic, defined as the aggregation of two or more endemic and epidemic conditions leading to adverse repercussions for health. Long-standing inequities place Black individuals at disproportionate risk for negative postpartum mental health outcomes.

MomsRising has created an incredible resource, Maternal Mental Health Matters, which features first-hand stories from mothers, birthing people, partners, and family members, all speaking about the importance of maternal mental health. These stories demonstrate how all too often mothers and families are failed by the systems that should be supporting them.

Congratulations to Perinatal Support Washington on receiving $500,000 from the Washington State legislature to support PSW's Warm Line, which provides new and expectant parents with free phone, text, and email support in English and Spanish. The state's investment will support the warmline by increasing outreach, language access, and staff to help meet the growing demand from diverse families across Washington state.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation's leading professional membership society for obstetricians and gynecologists. In March, ACOG hosted its annual advocacy day, supporting Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Act, which will provide funding for a dedicated MMH hotline and grants to states for MMH programs. MMHLA has been the driving force behind this legislation.

The World Health Organization recently released recommendations for maternal and newborn care for a "positive postnatal experience." Of note, the WHO includes specific recommendations for mental health interventions, including prevention of and screening for postpartum depression and anxiety. Learn more HERE.

The Maternal & Infant Health Award will provide $10 million to improve maternal and infant health outcomes around the world. The competition seeks bold solutions that will improve and accelerate equitable maternal and infant health outcomes among marginalized communities across the globe. Organizations from around the world are encouraged to apply. Competitive proposals will offer solutions that are community-led, impactful, durable, and, feasible. Registration deadline is June 2, and submissions are due June 30. Learn more HERE.

Each year, the Blue Dot Project leads a social media campaign during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. This year's campaign focuses on the intersection of maternal mental health and substance use, partnering with #ToughAsAMother campaign, to engage in #MakingOverMotherhood.

Learn more HERE.

Advocacy efforts continue in June as MMHLA partners with the March of Dimes,

Shades of Blue Project, and 2020 Mom for a Virtual Congressional Briefing.

We will advocate for additional funding for existing MMH programs,

and passage of three important bills that together will address MMH

at the national, state, and local levels. Learn more HERE.