Motherhood should be a time of joy and bonding, but for myself and far too many Alabama mothers, it is overshadowed by an unseen struggle—postpartum depression (PPD).
Affecting nearly 16% of new mothers in our state, PPD does not exist in isolation. It ripples through families, communities, and the economy, carrying human and financial costs that Alabama can no longer ignore. Immediate action is needed to ensure every mother has access to critical mental health care.
A recent study commissioned by Safer Birth in Bama and conducted by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) found that more than 9,000 Alabama women experienced PPD in 2023 alone.
The economic burden of untreated maternal mental health conditions in our state is estimated at a staggering $350 million per year. These costs stem from increased healthcare needs, lost wages, lower workforce participation, and long-term developmental effects on children. This is not just a maternal health crisis—it’s an economic challenge that affects every taxpayer and business in the state.
I launched Project Luna, an initiative of Safer Birth in Bama, to provide free counseling and support services to postpartum mothers, particularly those underinsured or uninsured. Through this work, I have seen firsthand the struggles mothers face in accessing critical mental health care.
While this initiative has helped bridge gaps, nonprofit and pro-bono efforts alone are not enough. Systemic policy change is essential to ensure that all Alabama mothers receive the help they need.
Too many Alabama mothers who need treatment for PPD face significant barriers. While Medicaid covers a significant portion of births in the state and has made strides in improving access to certain PPD treatments, access to care remains inconsistent.
On top of a shortage of maternal mental health care providers, many women endure long wait times, or financial hurdles that prevent them from seeking care. Without legislative action, these barriers will continue to harm thousands of mothers—at a significant cost to families and the state.
The Alabama Legislature now can take a first step in improving access to postpartum care. SB191, introduced by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, would ensure that all new mothers are assessed for PPD and create educational materials about PPD, bridging the gap by identifying the condition sooner and proactively educating new parents.
By ensuring consistent access to care and increasing education on the condition, this legislation provides a practical, cost-effective step to solving Alabama’s maternal mental health crisis.
Supporting SB191 is not only the right thing to do for mothers, but it is also a sound economic decision. When mothers receive the mental health care they need, they are more likely to return to work, provide stable homes for their families, raise healthy children, and contribute to thriving communities.
Alabama has an opportunity to be a leader in maternal health policy. We must act now to break down barriers, support our mothers, and build a stronger, healthier state for future generations.
When mothers suffer, families suffer. And when families suffer, our state pays the price. Investing in maternal mental health is an investment in Alabama’s future. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by.
Alisha Dreiling, LPC, IBCLC, PMH-C, leads Project Luna, an initiative of Safer Birth in Bama dedicated to expanding mental health support for mothers in Alabama.
