Perinatal mental health conditions are a group of illnesses that can occur during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. 1 in 5 birthing people and 1 in 10 partners experience a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. These are treatable medical conditions—not character flaws or signs of weakness.
Project TEACH
New York State’s child/adolescent and perinatal psychiatry access program. Services include:
Postpartum Resource Center of New York
Providing free non-judgmental and confidential emotional support, educational information, and healthcare and support group resources for families, including a statewide resource directory. Email or call 855-631-0001.
The Motherhood Center of New York
Supportive services for new and expecting moms.
NYS Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Initiative
Family support programs are voluntary, no-cost programs that give families support through home visits. Find evidence-based family support programs in your county.
MotherToBaby
Evidence-based information on the safety of medications and exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
New York State Medicaid Doula Services
Doulas can provide additional physical, emotional, education, and nonmedical support for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Medicaid Members are eligible to receive doula services at no cost during pregnancy and up to 12 months after in New York.
BeWell
Explore tips to manage stress, calm your mind and body, and improve sleep.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Free, confidential 24/7 hotline in English and Spanish. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-8526262). Reach out anytime - if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or if you just need someone to talk to.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text, or chat 988 for free, confidential 24/7 judgement-free care. Life’s challenges can be difficult, but you are not alone.
Suicide Prevention Center of New York State
We provide support and resources for individuals as well as guidance, training, and technical assistance for community stakeholders.
Join our Perinatal Mental Health e-mail distribution list to stay up to date on training, procurement opportunities, policy updates, resources, and more.
Email us to share information or to ask questions about perinatal mental health.
In November 2023, the Office of Mental Health in collaboration with the Department of Health released this report: Postpartum Depression Screening Protocols and Tools: A Review of Evidence on Adequacy and Equity. It provides a review of:
The report exposes gaps in postpartum mental health care and offers recommendations aimed at standardizing, expanding, and improving postpartum screening and care.
In November 2025, the Office of Mental released the Maternal Mental Health Recommendations Report. It provides a detailed pathway to improve the mental health of pregnant individuals statewide, including training to help providers identify specific conditions and improved mental health screening procedures.
Below are terms we use to describe our work and why.
Maternal and Mother: Only used as needed to be consistent with federal and state legislative language.
Birthing Person and Perinatal Individual: Because we ultimately seek to serve all pregnant people regardless of gender or sexual identity.
Perinatal Mental Health: Because 1 in 10 non-birthing partners also experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.