“We are here to help you bridge the gap,” was how the conversation with Dr. Uruj Kamal Haider began when discussing MCPAP for Moms, the nation’s first Perinatal Psychiatry Access Program, for which Dr. Nancy Byatt was the founding Medical Director in 2014. MCPAP for Moms was an expansion of the successful Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP), which was developed in 2004 by Dr. John Straus. MCPAP for Moms’ purpose has been supporting primary care, OBGYN and psychiatric providers with identifying and managing their patients' mental health and substance use concerns in an environment in which reproductive psychiatry has been scarce. In 2022, the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis included the program within its recommended initiatives. Over 30 Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs across the country have been modeled after MCPAP for Moms. Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs are population-based programs that aim to increase access to perinatal mental health care. These programs build the capacity of medical professionals to address perinatal mental health and substance use disorders. “We have found since establishing the program that there is a growing confidence in our community.” Dr. Haider explains that services are aimed building the capacity of providers to learn about diagnostic clarity and treatment, but in the process have offered a wealth of knowledge to the communities they support. Over time, questions have grown in complexity and have led to more providers with the confidence and knowledge to treat perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders. The growth of Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs inspired the development Lifeline for Moms, a program at UMass Chan Medical School that seeks to improve the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through evidence-based perinatal mental health tools and resources that help integrate perinatal mental health care into everyday practice. When attending the most recent Lifeline for Moms meeting on its origin, evolution, and lessons learned, Dr. Byatt stated, “It’s all about relationships,” when referring to McPAP for Moms and stressed the importance of developing programs with and for the providers they serve. Legislators, providers and most importantly those with live experience have a wealth of knowledge to give and aid in these programs being successful and McPAP and Lifeline for Moms want to help those voices to be heard. www.naspog.org Lifeline for Moms website has multiple free materials available on their website including a listing of established perinatal mental health access programs (https://www.umassmed.edu/lifeline4moms/Access-Programs/). In addition, if your state doesn’t have a Perinatal Psychiatry Access Program yet and you are interested in consulting with a perinatal psychiatrist, you can also contact the Postpartum Support International (PSI) Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line online or by calling 877-944- 4773

Sarah Krajewski, CNM, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C

Brockton Neighborhood Health Center

Dept of Social Services & OBGYN

Div. of Reproductive Psychiatry