BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

A National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Now Offers Help for New Moms

Trained counselors and resources are just a text away.
save article
profile picture of Wyndi Kappes
By Wyndi Kappes, Assistant Editor
Published May 20, 2022
close up of pregnant woman holding smartphone in hand
Image: Liderina/Shutterstock

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in an effort to support new and expectant moms, the government has launched a new national Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Mothers can simply call or text the hotline at 1-833-943-5746 to speak with a trained counselor about things they may be struggling with. They can also receive referrals to community-based and telehealth providers, support groups and other community resources as needed.

The hotline offers a place for mothers to seek help for concerns like postpartum depression without judgment. “Today, we are creating a safe space for expecting and new moms who are experiencing maternal depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns to have confidential conversations and get the support they need,” said Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Carole Johnson.

The hotline ties in with other recent efforts made by the Biden administration to provide increased access to mental health services. “This new Maternal Mental Health Hotline will not only advance our priorities of tackling the nation’s mental health crisis, but also support our efforts to ensure healthy pregnancies and support new parents,” said United States Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Last year, Vice President Harris hosted the first-ever federal Maternal Health Day of Action, where she pledged the government’s commitment to work for safe pregnancies and childbirth. Since then, the HHS has dedicated $4.5 million to expanding access to community-based doulas in areas with high maternal mortality rates, and has provided funding in seven states to support a Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression Program. The launch of this hotline continues these efforts to help care for the physical and mental health of pregnant women and new moms.

The Maternal Mental Health Hotline isn’t intended as an emergency response line; if you’re experiencing a behavioral health crisis, you should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

pregnant woman getting a vaccine
FDA Approves RSV Vaccine for Expectant Moms to Protect Newborns
By Wyndi Kappes
young mother breastfeeding baby
Study: Breastfeeding and Pregnancy Decrease Risk of Early Menopause
By Wyndi Kappes
lindsay lohan postpartum mirror selfie
Lindsay Lohan Jokes She's 'Not a Regular Mom, I'm a Postpartum Mom'
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
tired mom holding baby
"Mommy Brain" Won't Last Forever, Study Confirms
By Wyndi Kappes
tb-best-air-purifiers-HERO
9 Best Air Purifiers to Help You Breathe a Little Easier
By Megan Cahn
woman turning fan on in bedroom
Why You're Dealing With Postpartum Night Sweats
By Korin Miller
mother holding newborn baby while sitting in chair at home
Why You Might Be Experiencing Postpartum Constipation
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
postpartum mother smiling at newborn baby while sitting on bed at home
9 Best Mom-Tested Postpartum Kits for Care and Recovery
By Elizabeth Narins
mother wearing postpartum underwear while holding newborn baby
9 Best Postpartum Underwear, According to New Moms
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
father bathing newborn baby in kitchen at home
How Often Should You Bathe a Newborn?
By Natalie Gontcharova
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding newborn baby while sitting on couch at home
The Baby Pinks: What to Know About Postpartum Euphoria
By Colleen De Bellefonds
best-postnatal-vitamins-hero
The Best Postnatal Vitamins to Support Recovery and Breastfeeding
By Martina Garvey
The Bump Supports Families With Super Sunday Diaper Giveaway
The Bump Supports Families With Super Sunday Diaper Giveaway
By Jen Hayes Lee
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman sitting in bed at night reading a book
Dimming Lights at Bedtime Lowers Gestational Diabetes Risk, Study Says
By Wyndi Kappes
best kegel pelvic floor trainers
The Best Kegel Trainers to Restore the Pelvic Floor
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
black and white image of pregnant belly, maternal deaths increase in 2021
The US Maternal Mortality Rate Surged by 40 Percent in 2021
By Wyndi Kappes
best postpartum pads and underwear
The Best Postpartum Pads for the Fourth Trimester
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
ADVERTISEMENT
close up of father holding child's hand
How One Dad Is Fighting for Black Maternal Health Reform
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and newborn baby resting together on bed at home
Everything to Know About Postpartum Recovery After a Vaginal Birth
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
overhead view of newborn baby and mother in hospital bed after giving birth
How a Sitz Bath Can Help You Heal Postpartum
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.