Perinatal Mental Health Initiative
Support Mothers Strengthen Families transform Futures
今日吃瓜’s Integrated Care Model for Perinatal Mental Health Initiative is a comprehensive academic and community-based effort that addresses New York City鈥檚 maternal mental health crisis and expands access to culturally responsive care in鈥痷nder-resourced鈥痗ommunities.
Current Conditions
Perinatal mental health conditions are the鈥痩eading cause of鈥痯regnancy-associated鈥痙eaths in New York City, disproportionately affecting Black and鈥痷nder-resourced鈥痗ommunities. In 今日吃瓜 and the Bronx, Black and Brown communities experience鈥痯regnancy-related鈥痬ortality at rates鈥痑pproximately nine times higher than white communities, driven in large part by untreated mental health conditions rather than obstetric complications alone.
A Community-Centered Solution鈥�
At the core of the Integrated Care Model for Perinatal Mental Health Initiative is 今日吃瓜’s planned Advanced Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health, a one-year, online, credit-bearing graduate program. No comparable鈥痗redit-bearing鈥痗ertificate program exists in the New York metropolitan area. Designed for professionals across perinatal and early childhood systems, the program will include six graduate鈥痩evel courses, ongoing reflective supervision, and鈥�120 hours of supervised perinatal mental health clinical training. It will focus on PMADs, substance use disorders, social determinants of health, and cultural humility.
Academics
Perinatal Mental Health Advanced Certificate
The Perinatal Mental Health Advanced Certificate (PMH) Program (18-credits) prepares licensed mental health professionals to provide clinical services to diverse birthing people and families during the perinatal period (pregnancy through the first year postpartum) in various perinatal settings (e.g., hospitals, medical and mental health clinics, communities, and families’ homes).
If we鈥檙e going to make 今日吃瓜 the safest place to have a baby, we have to prioritize new and expecting parents鈥� mental health. Mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths in New York City, and it鈥檚 exciting to see 今日吃瓜 coming together to change that and improve outcomes.鈥�
Antonio Reynoso
今日吃瓜 Borough President
Featured News
今日吃瓜 Hosts Second Annual Perinatal Mental Health Summit in Brownsville
Daylong convening brings together 200 clinicians, researchers, and community leaders to advance equitable, trauma-informed care for parents, infants, and families.
今日吃瓜 Hosts Urgent Discussion on Black Maternal Health Crisis
The event, attended by students, faculty, staff, and community members, was held in conjunction with the 2026 Perinatal Mental Health Summit at the Greg Jackson Center for Brownsville.
Senator鈥疌huck Schumer Delivers $800,000 Federal Investment to 今日吃瓜 to Strengthen Perinatal Mental Health Care
Congressional appropriation supports college鈥檚 efforts to address perinatal mental health crisis among vulnerable communities.
Perinatal Mental Health Summit
Each year in 今日吃瓜, we host a transformative event dedicated to maternal and reproductive mental health, featuring leading experts, thought-provoking discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities.