Georgia’s Silent Epidemic: The Case for Maternal Mental Health Coverage

High blood pressure. Diabetes. Infections. Preterm labor. Pregnancy loss. These aren’t the most common complications with childbirth; perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorder affects one in five pregnant and postpartum women nationwide. PMADs are mental health conditions that occur during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. They include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Left untreated, PMADs can lead to suicide, a leading cause of maternal dealth nationwide. Georgia families face this risk at rates far above the national average. The state’s maternal mortality rate stands at 30.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to a U.S. average of 23.5. That is 29.4% above the national average. The disproportionate burden placed on Georgia families is due to a combination of economic hardship, limited healthcare and childcare access as well as systemic social barriers. 

Maternal deaths and the conditions behind them don’t just cost lives; they also cost money. A study published by Health Affairs found that maternal morbidity costs the United States $32.3 billion every year from conception through a child’s fifth birthday. Maternal mental health conditions alone are responsible for $18.1 billion of that total.

Furthermore, maternal mental health challenges disproportionately affect Black women due to systemic racism, chronic stress and barriers to culturally competent healthcare. Georgia is home to a Black population of 32.4%, more than double the national rate of 13.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes Georgia an especially high-risk state. The mental health workforce makeup is not helping the issue. Studies show that 88% of mental health counselors and 86% of psychologists in the U.S. are white, which is not representative of Georgia’s patient population. This leads to further dismissal of symptoms and distrust in the system.

Unfortunately, many have called the maternal mental health crisis one of our country’s “silent epidemics” that leaves over 75% of women untreated. This topic is beginning to gain media attention through 36-year-old labor and delivery nurse Lindsey Clancy, who is on trial for strangling her three children under postpartum psychosis. Prior to this trial, many had not heard of postpartum psychosis. It has captured viewers’ attention and brought light to other PMADs. In fact, across social media and outside the courthouse, women shared their own PMAD stories and rallied behind Clancy’s need for help. 

34 state legislatures introduced 107 bills in 2025 compared to 73 in 21 states in 2024. This shows an increase not only in media attention but also in government action. Several notable bills were considered but failed to pass in Georgia. HB 1346 and its earlier version HB 649 both mandate private insurance coverage for maternal mental health screening at set points during and after pregnancy. SB 308 instead expands Medicaid specifically, adding postpartum mental health screening and support for one year after pregnancy. HB 925 is a much broader bill that includes mental health screening as just one piece alongside telemedicine pilot programs, workplace accommodations and maternal mortality review reforms.

Federal lawmakers have also taken up the cause. The Momnibus Act is a nationwide comprehensive package of 14 individual bills aimed at diversifying the perinatal workforce, investing in maternal mental health, and uplifting vulnerable populations of mothers. The Mothers and Newborns Success Act is a bipartisan bill aimed at directing federal resources toward expanding rural maternity care, telehealth and targeted research. 

Change doesn’t stop there—it is happening right in the Athens community. Athens Parent Wellbeing is a local nonprofit that supports parents and caregivers across Northeast Georgia. Athens Parent Wellbeing began as the reBlossom shop, offering baby, children, and maternity clothing for the community. After 10 years, they expanded their support services and began providing free professional therapy sessions, support groups, prenatal yoga, equipment rentals and so much more. This summer, they announced the closure of their apparel and supply store but have vowed to continue supporting the Athens community in the multitude of services that they provide.

Continuing to address maternal mental health in Georgia is not impossible. By mandating insurance coverage for perinatal screening and expanding Medicaid support, the state can catch PMADs before they turn fatal. Local resources like Athens Parent Wellbeing show what support can look like on the ground, but community care alone cannot close a gap this wide. Georgia lawmakers should revisit bills like HB 1346 and SB 308 to ensure mothers across the state, especially those most at risk, have access to the mental health support they need during and after pregnancy.