HRSA releases maternal mental health toolkit

The Health Resources and Services Administration announced a new toll-free number (1-833-TLC-MAMA) and promotional toolkit for its National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for pregnant and postpartum individuals with mental health concerns. Since its launch a year ago, the hotline’s professional counselors have provided free and confidential emotional support, resources and referrals to nearly 12,000 individuals seeking help for themselves (76%) or someone else (5%), with the average response time under 30 seconds. The top three reasons for contacting the hotline were feeling overwhelmed, depression or anxiety. Separately, research published in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine illuminates Black mothers’ descriptions of their needs and experiences during breastfeeding. (HRSA news release, 5/12/23)