Massachusetts proposes $2.25 million for postpartum mental health

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced a plan to invest $2.25 million into postpartum and maternal mental health initiatives. The proposal includes $2 million for the Department of Public Health’s Welcome Family program, which aims to expand the service from approximately 3,000 births per year to roughly 68,000. This expansion would provide free, voluntary home visits from registered nurses to every new parent in the state.

During these visits, nurses provide newborn care education, screen for mental health concerns, and connect families with community resources. An additional $250,000 is proposed for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms (MCPAP for Moms) to strengthen mental health support for providers caring for pregnant and postpartum patients.

The initiative follows increased public scrutiny regarding postpartum mental health in the state, particularly following the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, a former nurse accused of killing her three children in 2023. The state intends to use these funds to improve the identification of mood and anxiety disorders in new parents to ensure earlier intervention.