Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the release of New York’s first-ever Maternal Mental Health Report detailing the challenges pregnant women are facing, and recommendations for improvements statewide. In addition to the report, the state also made funding available to help OBGYN and family medicine practices support perinatal pregnant women with behavioral health needs and is hosting a series of virtual roundtables to discuss maternal mental health issues.
The state also expanded Project TEACH so that a wider range of front-line practitioners — including therapists, lactation consultants, WIC staff, home visiting nurses and others — can provide mental health support to pregnant and postpartum New Yorkers. OMH has also expanded HealthySteps, an evidence-based prevention program that integrates behavioral health specialists in pediatric practices to address the social and emotional well-being of young children and their families, to incorporate 125 sites statewide.
