When mothers don’t get access to treatment, their mental health conditions can worsen. As a result, children are less likely to learn and succeed in school, let alone live healthy lives in adulthood. Maternal mental health can undercut an individual or family’s efforts to lift themselves out of poverty.
Economic security, child care, housing, immigration status, primary language, and race/ethnicity have lasting impacts on a mother’s mental health. Few mothers living in economically marginalized communities receive adequate mental health support and care because of federal and state systems and policy barriers. This can have lasting impacts on a mother’s livelihood, but also on their families and loved ones.
CLASP focuses on maternal mental health and wellbeing because it is central to ensure mothers are able to thrive. We do this through a strong racial equity focus, asking partners to focus on interventions throughout the life course, and encouraging collaboration between key advocates and state/federal agency sectors.