The maternal mortality rate has increased nearly 89% since 2018, and  mental and behavioral health conditions including death by suicide and overdose are now the leading cause of maternal mortality. Untreated perinatal mental health conditions also lead to maternal distress and dysfunction and negative behavioral and physical outcomes for children. 

There is an urgent need to identify every individual with a perinatal mental health or substance use disorder and to ensure they receive appropriate levels of care. Effective treatment of perinatal depression and / or substance use is perhaps the single most effective strategy to support perinatal people and their families and to prevent future mental health and substance use problems in children, adolescents, and adults.