We are grateful for the generous support from the Valinhos Foundation during the development of this initiative.
Why Maternal Mental Health Matters.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are critical times when women are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and grief. Studies show that 15-20% of birthing women experience diagnosable mental health conditions, yet half of them never receive the help they need. Limited access to trained clinicians and culturally responsive care further complicates the situation.
At Mental Health Awareness of Michiana (MHAM), we recognize the urgent need to support mothers during this critical phase. Our initiatives aim to bridge the gap in access to effective, compassionate, and culturally responsive mental health care.
We provide access to short-term counseling for individuals struggling with perinatal mental health concerns, ensuring support is available regardless of financial barriers.
Helping individuals identify their specific needs and connecting them with appropriate mental health and other vital resources, navigating the often complex landscape of available services.
Pop-Up Pregnancy Village MHAM anchors the mental health section of this community centered event bringing needed services to the community.
Additional wellness focused events and outreach to raise awareness Participation in MHAM events to raise awareness and provide resources.
Mental Health Workforce Development
MHAM is committed to expanding the workforce equipped to address maternal mental health needs through specialized training opportunities:
Master's Level Clinical Internship
Clinical training opportunities for master’s level social work and counseling interns.
Fellowships
Maternal Mental Health Fellowship cohorts form in the Spring and Fall and run 6 months. This is a unique training opportunity for early career clinicians who are interested in developing a maternal mental health specialization. Each Fellow receives weekly supervision, biweekly in service training, and clinical experience with perinatal clients. Fellows commit to spending about 5 hours a week on Fellowship related activities for the duration of the cohort.
Professional Development
MHAM offers continuing education classes for licensed clinicians throughout the year on a variety of topics. Check out MHAM’s calendar for upcoming classes.
At MHAM, we are dedicated to ensuring that every mother has access to the mental health support she needs during pregnancy and postpartum. Whether through direct services, education, or workforce development, our goal is to empower women and their families with the tools and care they deserve.