Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has requested $2 million from the state legislature to expand mental health services for new mothers, a move prompted by the recent mistrial in the case of Lindsay Clancy. The funding would support the Welcome Family program, which provides free nurse visits specializing in maternal and child health.
The proposed expansion aims to increase the number of households served annually from 3,000 to 68,000. Healey announced the initiative earlier this month, following a mistrial in Clancy’s murder trial. Clancy pleaded not guilty to killing her three children in Duxbury, Massachusetts, three years ago, arguing that postpartum psychosis and inadequate care impaired her judgment.
Rising Focus on Maternal Mental Health
Postpartum depression affects up to one in seven women after childbirth, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Postpartum psychosis is rarer, affecting between one and three women per 1,000 births. Suicides account for approximately 20% of postpartum deaths.
A March Harris Poll found that 36% of women who have been pregnant were diagnosed with a mental health condition during or leading up to pregnancy. Additionally, 56% reported experiencing postpartum mental health struggles.
National Legislative Trends
Several states have enacted laws addressing maternal mental health in recent years. Illinois passed legislation in 2018 recognizing postpartum illnesses as mitigating factors in criminal sentencing. Last year, Illinois expanded this requirement to include parole and medical-release decisions.
Maryland enacted a law requiring Medicaid and some insurers to cover postpartum depression screenings. Virginia mandated that all insurance plans cover maternal mental health screenings. California has proposed legislation awaiting the governor’s signature that would require insurers to provide case management for individuals screening positive for maternal mental health conditions.
Conversely, postpartum bills failed to pass in Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
Expert Analysis
Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, noted a 50% increase in maternal mental health legislation last year. She expects a potential 200% increase in such legislation moving forward.
A study published in Frontiers in Public Health examined 32 states and found that those with robust postpartum policies had lower maternal mortality rates.
Case Background
Lindsay Clancy attempted suicide shortly after the killings and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Her defense team argued she suffered from postpartum psychosis and lacked adequate care at the time of the incident. The mistrial occurred earlier this month, leaving the case unresolved.
For individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988.