Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This week I'm chatting with Hailey Gibbs from the Center for American Progress. Hailey and her team authored an amazing report that looks at maternal health from a holistic perspective. In this episode we discuss how federal policies around housing, neighborhood safety, food security, healthcare access, insurance affordability, and access to reproductive health all impact the long term health of families and communities. 

Click here to read the full report authored by Hailey et. al.

Resources discussed in the episode:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/temporary-assistance-needy-families-tanf

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Families: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

Other Center for American Progress Series on health-related topics:

• https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-economic-educational-and-health-related-costs-of-being-a-woman/


• https://www.americanprogress.org/article/black-women-need-access-to-paid-family-and-medical-leave/


• https://www.americanprogress.org/article/expanded-child-tax-credits-have-been-a-lifeline-for-many/

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https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

About the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

• Phone or text access to professional counselors


• Real-time support and information


• Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week


• Resources


• Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups


• Culturally sensitive support


• Counselors who speak English and Spanish


• Interpreter services in 60 languages 


• The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).