Our Mission
Our mission is to improve perinatal mental health outcomes in Montana by informing, advocating for, and implementing policies and initiatives that support perinatal mental health, reduce stigma and discrimination, and increase access to care.
Our Vision
We envision a Montana where all families pregnancy through age one have access to the supports they need to prevent and address perinatal mental health conditions and allow families to thrive.
Why This Work Matters
Perinatal mental health conditions are common—and can have serious consequences for families.
- Maternal mental health conditions affect up to 1 in 5 pregnant and postpartum women in the United States and are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth.1
- Nationally, fewer than 20% of women are screened for maternal mental health disorders, and fewer than 15% receive treatment for maternal depression.1
- During 2020-2022, 71% of Montana pregnancy-related deaths involved an underlying mental health condition—and all of these deaths were determined to be preventable.2
Sources:
- Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Maternal Mental Health Fact Sheet (2025/2026)
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Research and Evaluation Section & Maternal and Child Health Coordination Section, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder in Maternal Mortality, 2020–2022 (2025).
Maternal mental health conditions can include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and birth-related PTSD.
Our Priorities
The MPMHC focuses on areas where collaboration, coordination, and collective action can help strengthen Montana’s perinatal mental health system.
Public Awareness
Increase awareness of perinatal mental health conditions, reduce stigma, and help families and communities recognize when and how to seek or offer support.
Peer-Focused Programming
Strengthen access to peer and community-based supports, including doulas, birthworkers, peer support specialists, care coordinators, and other trusted supports.
Engage Medical Professionals & Program Staff
Increase knowledge, confidence, and skills among the people who work with families during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including screening, early identification, treatment, referral, and stigma reduction.
Care Coordination
Strengthen connections among healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and community-based services so families can more easily access the support they need.
Culturally Informed Programming
Support programs, services, workforce development, and policies that reflect the cultures, experiences, and needs of Montana families and communities.
Social Determinants of Perinatal Mental Health
Address the conditions that shape perinatal mental health, including access to housing, transportation, food, childcare, healthcare, and other essential supports.
MPMHC Information Hub
The MPMHC Information Hub is a living resource that tracks perinatal mental health initiatives and emerging work across Montana. It helps the Collaborative identify what is already happening, where efforts can connect, and where there may be opportunities for members to contribute.
View the MPMHC Information Hub
Have something to add? Is information missing or outdated? Submit an MPMHC Update to share an initiative, resource, opportunity, or other news with the Collaborative.
How the Collaborative Works
The MPMHC is a statewide network of people and organizations working toward shared perinatal mental health goals.
The Collaborative is housed at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and guided by a Steering Committee that helps set direction, identify priorities, coordinate work, and support alignment across statewide efforts.
Membership is informal. Anyone with an interest in improving perinatal mental health in Montana is welcome to participate.
You can engage in the ways that make sense for you—from simply staying informed to helping lead work.
Stay Connected & Get Involved
STAY CONNECTED
Receive updates, read meeting notes, and keep up with what is happening across Montana.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Attend quarterly Collaborative meetings, share your perspective, ask questions, and learn from other partners.
CONTRIBUTE
Share your expertise, resources, connections, or information about work happening in your community or organization.
GET INVOLVED
Participate in a workgroup or help advance a specific priority or initiative.
LEAD
Bring forward an opportunity, help organize collaborative work, or lead a workgroup.
Quarterly Collaborative Meetings
The MPMHC meets quarterly to share statewide updates, hear from partners, identify opportunities for coordination, and work together on shared priorities.
April 2026
View Meeting Notes
July 2026
View Meeting Notes
October 2026
Date & registration coming soon.
January 2027
Date & registration coming soon.
Workgroups
Workgroups provide opportunities for members to engage more deeply around specific priorities or emerging opportunities. Workgroups may be time-limited and can evolve as the Collaborative’s needs change.
Interested in proposing, leading, or participating in a workgroup? Contact Mary Collins (Mary@hmhb-mt.org) us to learn more.
Share an Update
The Collaborative depends on members to help keep the statewide picture current.
Use the update form to share:
- A new initiative or program
- An upcoming opportunity
- A resource
- Relevant research or data
- A policy or systems update
- Other work the Collaborative should know about
The Path That Brought Us Here
2022: The Collaborative Begins to Take Shape
In 2022, HMHB brought together state and local partners to explore how Montana could strengthen collaboration across the perinatal mental health system. More than 100 people shared their perspectives as part of a statewide landscape analysis.
2024: A Shared Strategic Framework
In February 2024, Montana partners published the Strategic Framework for Perinatal Mental Health in Montana, identifying opportunities to strengthen the systems that affect perinatal mental health.
2025: Building a Policy Agenda
HMHB and the Montana Chapter of Postpartum Support International partnered with the national PSI office to facilitate the Mind the Gap State Policy Series. Partners used this process to build on previous work and identify policy and systems priorities for Montana.
2026: Relaunching the Collaborative
In 2026, the MPMHC formalized its Steering Committee, reconvened partners statewide, and began working together to advance shared priorities.
View a Timeline of Selected PMH Efforts
