The many emotions pregnant and postpartum women experience can have a huge impact on their mental well-being, and if left untreated can have devastating consequences. In 2022, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, offering support and resources via call or text to pregnant women and new mothers. In this episode, Michael Warren, M.D., associate administrator of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at HRSA, discusses how the hotline came to exist, and how it is helping combat the overwhelming stresses that new mothers can face. The hotline can be reached at 1-833-TLC-MAMA and the hotline also offers a Partner Toolkit for health care organization to raise awareness. 

Visit AHA’s Maternal Mental Health webpage for more resources such as infographics and podcasts.

Dr. Michael Warren