The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced a new nationwide campaign to raise public awareness of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA). The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to improve maternal health and supports HRSA’s ongoing initiative to reduce maternal mortality and health disparities. While mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As part of the campaign, HHS will collaborate with companies and organizations such as retailers, grocers, pharmacies, and health and community associations to publicize mental health resources for moms and pregnant women in everyday locations. The first six Maternal Mental Health Champions announced today have thousands of locations and a broad presence in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. HRSA Deputy Administrator Jordan Grossman announced this campaign in conjunction with HRSA’s latest state Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative convening in Portland, Oregon.
The Biden-Harris Administration launched the National Maternal Health Hotline, a free confidential service offering 24/7 support from trained counselors via call and text in English, Spanish, and translation services in over 60 languages, on Mother’s Day in 2022 as part of the broader efforts to combat maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The professional counselors who answer Hotline calls and texts include licensed health care professionals, certified educators, and specialists. Counselors listen to callers’ needs and provide support directly, connect callers with local support groups and organizations, and/or refer callers to other health care professionals when more care is needed.
The new Maternal Mental Health Champions campaign will expand awareness of this important resource for mothers, pregnant women, and their families through specific commitments to promote the Hotline in Champions’ locations or sites across the country – for example by displaying the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline’s promotional materials in prominent locations for their patients or customers. Maternal Mental Health Champions may include retailers, grocers, pharmacies, health and community associations, and other organizations and leaders that make significant commitments in coordination with HRSA to promoting the Hotline to their customers, patients, or users.
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