Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal continues to invest in the health of mothers and babies, and directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to work with health providers to implement universal postpartum screenings for moms, and ensure doctors and nurses can identify signs of pregnancy-related depression more quickly, speeding up referrals to mental health professionals.
Postpartum depression affects one in eight mothers across the country. It not only impacts the well-being of Pennsylvania mothers, but also profoundly influences their families and communities.
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has charged his Administration with finding ways to improve the health of mothers and babies. The Administration has prioritized using data and recommendations from the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), feedback from a statewide survey, and regional listening sessions to develop a multi-agency Maternal Health Strategic Plan.
Mothers have voiced their support for Governor Shapiro’s efforts to provide universal postpartum depression screenings.
Click here to watch Jessica Tucker, and click here to watch Ta’lor Pinkston, talk about the importance of postpartum depression screenings, or read the transcripts below.
Jessica Tucker discusses the importance of postpartum depression screenings
Watch Jessica talk about the importance of postpartum depression screenings.
TRANSCRIPT – Jessica Tucker, Western Pennsylvania mom
“As someone who gave birth in August of last year, I noticed that during a lot of my OB appointments, I was not being screened, and that was, I don't want to say alarming, but I was experiencing depression that I had never experienced depression before.
“Thankfully, I was connected with a psychiatrist for a pre-existing anxiety condition.
“I was somebody who was tracked and able to get help via this program, but if I otherwise had not been in connection with my provider, I fear I might have been one of the people that was unable to get help.
Having screenings at OB appointments, at pediatrician appointments, whatever that might look like, is vital because you don't want to have someone, your loved one, your sister, your partner, be someone that does not -- is not able to get a screening and then be able to find help.”
Ta’lor Pinkston discusses the importance of postpartum depression screenings
Watch Ta’lor talk about the importance of postpartum depression screenings.
TRANSCRIPT – Ta’lor Pinkston, Western Pennsylvania mom
“Moms matter.
“I think it's essential that we give moms the opportunity to determine if they're experiencing more than Baby Blues.
“And by screening moms in the postpartum period for depression and comorbid anxiety, we're able to determine faster if those major depression disorder symptoms are present so that we can begin the treatment process.
“I'm a mom that struggled with prenatal depression and getting screened helped me to get the support I needed to prevent postpartum depression moving forward.
“I think it's just really essential to prioritize the screening of mothers in that way.
“It's really important that we are trying to catch people because we know that untreated mental health illnesses can lead to a lifetime of mental health issues, as well as children potentially having developmental issues or their own mental health issues.”
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