Maternal Mental Health

"A mother's mental health is not a luxury, it is the foundation upon which a healthy family is built."

World Health Organization

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About one in five mothers suffers from maternal mental health (MMH) issues (also known as “perinatal mood and anxiety disorders”), negatively impacting the mother and the child. Despite this high prevalence of MMH issues, the overwhelming majority of mothers experiencing symptoms (75%) do not receive treatment.

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MMH conditions are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. They include prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, and in extreme cases, postpartum psychosis.  Left undetected and untreated, MMH conditions can lead to negative health outcomes for the mother as well as negatively affecting the mother-child bond and the child’s long-term physical, emotional, and developmental health. 

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The Kvinnelig Foundation will seek and provide grants to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on providing direct evidence-based and culturally competent maternal mental health services.  Of particular interest will be organizations focused on maternal mental health services for families with newborns in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and with special needs.

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This work will be conducted primarily in Southern California.