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Diana Lynn Barnes, PsyD, and Gina Wong, PhD present live professional training program Basic Diagnosis and Assessment of Maternal Mental Illness in the Forensic Arena. This is the first program in the Maternal Mental Health and Its Application to Forensics: Training the Expert Witness series. REGISTER TODAY!

On January 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced a new model to test approaches for addressing behavioral and physical health in a bi-directional way: The Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model which will be piloted in 8 states. READ MORE

NASPOG, along with several other organizations, has signed on to support the National Advocate's for Pregnant Women (NAPW)'s amicus brief in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

The brief was filed on behalf of NAPW and 13 organizations committed to ensuring the health and rights of all pregnant people, including those with wanted pregnancies, those who continue their pregnancies and give birth, and those who experience pregnancy losses. 

To read the full press release, click here.

NASPOG, along with several other behavioral health, maternal health, and health care professional organizations, have signed their support to a letter sent this week to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding the Moms Matter Act. This bill proposes investments in programs to expand access to treatments and support for maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders for racial and ethnic minority groups. You can read the full letter here.

For those interested in doing more, the Shades of Blue Project and 2020 Mom invite you to join them in contacting your members of Congress on Mental Health Day, May 20th, to ask them to co-sponsor the Moms Matter Act. Find more information here.

Dear NASPOG Members,

Check out the latest NASOG member newsletter! Click on the link below to read. We look forward to your feedback on our new format! 

https://www.smore.com/1hv60

NASPOG Online!  In lieu of an in-person scientific meeting this year, NASPOG will hold a yearlong webinar series August 2020 – August 2021. The webinar series will offer 1 webinar on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm Eastern. Each webinar will feature a 1 hour didactic lecture with 15 minutes of Q&A. CME credit will be offered to those registrants who participate live in the webinars.  Sign up for the series or individual webinars!

View Webinar Schedule Register Today Webinar Topics Include: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Healthcare Holistic Approach to Abortion Care Integrated Behavioral Health in Women’s Primary and Specialty Care Psychiatric and Psychological Management of the Hospitalized Obstetric Patient: From Bedrest to Bonding Novel Approaches to Applying the Biopsychosocial Systems Model to Women’s Health Care Effective Mental Health Interventions for Older Women in Perioperative Settings And More!

The NASPOG Board denounces the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and the many other Black lives lost to systemic racism, injustice and police violence. We acknowledge the long history of racism within our nation and our communities.

Racism is both a public health crisis and a women’s health crisis. As professionals committed to the wellbeing of women we share in the sadness, grief and anger. We see first-hand that Black and Brown families and children are more likely to live in poverty, Black women are more likely than white women to die during pregnancy and childbirth and from COVID-19.

As physicians, clinicians, healthcare workers, researchers, and educators, we recognize that the privilege we enjoy comes with the moral responsibility to advocate for and participate in solutions. We are committed to action to demand the long overdue principles of racial equity and justice.

We welcome all your thoughts and recommendations on how NASPOG can harness our membership’s passion and expertise to address this crisis. Please email info@naspog.org with your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Chiara Ghetti, MD, MSC
NASPOG President

I have exciting news and updates to share with you about our society! Over the last 6 months, the Executive Board, with your input, has worked diligently to set the 2019-2021 strategic direction for NASPOG. As a result of the strategic planning process, the Board refined our society’s mission statement and identified five strategic goals.

New Mission Statement:

The mission of NASPOG is to promote the study and clinical application of the neurobiologic and psychosocial aspects of women’s health and well-being across the life span.

Five Strategic Goals and Strategies:

1.  Member Value: Establish programming, networking and services that solidify NASPOG’s unique value proposition

2.  Balanced Membership: Achieve and foster a balanced representation of diverse expertise

3.  Sustainability: Ensure a strong, focused, well-managed, and financially sound organization

4.  Education: Improve access to education and information focused on the neurobiological and social determinants impacting women’s health across the life span

5.  Research: Disseminate new knowledge, foster collaborations, and provide mentorship to further scientific inquiry

Taskforces have formed to advance each of these goals. Please consider joining one of these taskforces. If interested in serving, please email info@naspog.org.

2020 Biennial Meeting April 17-19, 2020 in St. Louis, MO:

As previously announced, our 2020 Biennial meeting is scheduled to take place in St. Louis. As you are aware, two weeks ago the governor of Missouri signed into law one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. The NASPOG Executive Board discussed this matter and decided to continue with plans to host the 2020 Biennial Meeting in St. Louis as an advocate for women’s health and a strong voice promoting the needs of women.

The meeting will be hosted in partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, and we look forward to seeing you in St. Louis. Please keep an eye out for the Call for Abstracts.

Thank you for being a valued member, and we look forward to continuing to serve your needs! Please email info@naspog.org or call 301-273-0572 with any feedback or questions.

Sincerely,

Chiara Ghetti, MD, MSC
NAPOG President