May marks Perinatal Mental Health Month, a national effort to raise awareness about mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period and, in Connecticut, a formally recognized observance following the passage of “An Act Concerning Maternal Health,” signed by Governor Ned Lamont in 2025.
This time in a person’s life is both transformative and vulnerable. Mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting approximately 1 in 5 individuals. These conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to trauma-related disorders can significantly impact not only the well-being of the parent, but also pregnancy outcomes, infant development, and long-term family health.
Perinatal, or maternal, mental health encompasses the emotional, psychological, and behavioral experiences of individuals who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant, giving birth, or in the postpartum period. Within this window, a spectrum of conditions known as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) can occur. Nationally, PMADs affect 1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 3 Black mothers, and 1 in 10 fathers. Among the most severe is postpartum psychosis—a rare but acute condition affecting 1 to 2 in 1,000 mothers—which requires immediate medical intervention. May 1 is recognized as Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day, underscoring the importance of early recognition and care.
Despite their prevalence, perinatal mental health conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated due to stigma, gaps in access, and fragmentation across healthcare systems. The consequences can be profound: mental health–related conditions, including suicide and overdose, are among the leading causes of death in the first year postpartum. These realities highlight the urgent need for integrated, accessible, and compassionate systems of care.
At UConn Health, that response is taking shape through a growing, multidisciplinary effort. The Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative, led by Dr. Dyanne Tappin, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UConn Health brings together experts from obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, social work, and other specialties to strengthen care across four key areas: clinical care, research, education, and community partnerships. The Collaborative is working to enhance screening, expand early intervention, and improve continuity of care while also advancing research and training future providers.
“Our goal is to create a more connected, responsive system of care for perinatal patients and their families,” says Tappin. “By bringing together different disciplines and perspectives, we can better identify needs, close gaps, and ensure patients receive the support they deserve.”
A major focus of this work is community engagement. On April 25, UConn Health hosted the first in a series of perinatal mental health community events, funded by an OVPR JEDI Grant. The event brought together individuals with lived experience, healthcare providers, and community organizations to share insights, foster dialogue, and help shape more equitable and responsive care models.
This effort will continue with additional events scheduled for August 8 and October 10, in partnership with the Hispanic Health Council. These gatherings aim to deepen relationships with diverse communities and ensure that perinatal mental health initiatives are culturally responsive and grounded in real-world needs.
Complementing these initiatives is the planned launch of a new perinatal mental health clinic at UConn Health later this summer. The clinic will expand access to specialized, integrated care by embedding mental health services within obstetric settings helping to streamline coordination and support a more holistic approach to care for patients and families.
UConn Health has long been a leader in supporting perinatal and early childhood families. Since 2007, the UConn Health Department of Psychiatry has administered the UConn Health Parenting Program (formerly the Nurturing Families Program) and the Mind Over Mood Initiative. These programs provide free psychoeducational and support services through home visiting and group-based care, while also connecting mothers across the state to psychotherapy services, particularly those who are underinsured or uninsured.
In addition, the UConn Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology routinely screens expectant and new mothers for PMADs, with dedicated social workers helping connect patients to treatment and community resources. The Birthing Center offers a range of free educational programs focused on childbirth, breastfeeding, and early parenting, further supporting families during this critical time.
UConn Health is also home to the MotherToBaby Connecticut program, a free statewide service providing expert, evidence-based information about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Beyond UConn Health, Connecticut has been a national leader in this space. In 2016, the state established the first chapter of Postpartum Support International, expanding access to education, resources, and peer support for families statewide.
With approximately 35,000 births each year in Connecticut including about 1,200 at UConn Health the need for comprehensive perinatal mental health care is clear. Through collaborative care models, community-centered initiatives, and expanded clinical services, UConn Health is helping to build a future where mental health is recognized and treated as a fundamental part of maternal and family health.
UConn Health Parenting/Mind over Mood Initiative is collaborating with the CT Women’s Consortium and the CT Chapter of Postpartum Support International to host a free film screening of More Than Blue, a documentary film by Dr. Lee Cohen at Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Health. The event is on Friday May 15th from 1-3pm at the CT Women’s Consortium in Hamden. To learn more, visit www.psictchapter.com
During Perinatal Mental Health Month, members of the UConn Health community are encouraged to learn more, reflect, and consider how they can contribute to advancing care in this critical area. Those interested in joining the Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative can contact Dr. Dyanne Tappin for more information.