Lack of treatment can lead to devastating effects on perinatal individuals, infants, and families. Regrettably, multi-level barriers continue to make it difficult for policymakers, advocates, and caregiving professionals to develop and implement systematic approaches that improve perinatal mental health care access and quality. At Lifeline for Moms, we’ve developed multi-level evidence-based interventions including the population-level, sustainable Perinatal Psychiatry Access Program model to improve perinatal mental health care around the world.
Meeting these challenges requires building the capacity of professionals serving pregnant and postpartum individuals to address perinatal mental health and substance use disorders. Our consultation services work collaboratively with emerging and existing perinatal mental health programs to help them meet the needs of patients, caregivers, and the broader health care community.
Through our research and language choices, we’re proactively and purposely working to address inequities in mental health care. For example, we recognize that some perinatal individuals do not identify as women. For this reason, we often refer to people who are pregnant or have been pregnant within the last 12 months as perinatal individuals.
Learn more about our commitment to equity.
Lifeline for Families promotes whole family health by bridging the gap between maternal and child health. Our Lifeline for Kids team has developed practical approaches to implementing trauma informed care and increasing resilience in children and their caregivers.
Find out more about the work we’re doing at Lifeline for Kids.
We’re pioneers in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, obstetrics, and gynecology (Ob/Gyn), and pediatrics. We are excited to be leading projects that are establishing best practices and the evidence base for how to best integrate mental health care into perinatal and child health care and the fabric of our society.
Want to Collaborate?
If you would like to speak with us about perinatal mental health care or give feedback:
Call: 508-856-8455
Email: LifelineforMoms@umassmed.edu
Established in 2014, the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP) for Moms is a national model for perinatal mental health care. Our perinatal mental health consultation services are built on our experience developing and leading MCPAP for Moms. We provide customized support and invaluable experience to help you integrate mental health care into perinatal, childbirth, and pediatric care settings.
Whether you want to participate in perinatal mental health training,
participate in perinatal depression research, or support our cause,
see how to partner with Lifeline for Families.