OMAHA, Neb. - A recent report indicates that Nebraska trails in providing adequate mental health support for new mothers, earning a C-minus in the Maternal Health Report Card from the Maternal Policy Center this year, while the national average is a C. An interim study is now examining the reasons behind these shortcomings and exploring potential solutions to enhance care for new and expecting parents.
Read More
Senator Ashlei Spivey of Omaha shared her personal experience with postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her second child, describing feelings of isolation and despair. "I did not think I deserved to live or be a parent," she recalled, reflecting on the difficulty of articulating her struggles at that time. With the support of friends and family, Spivey sought help, but she noted that many Nebraskans face obstacles in accessing care.
"We see that people are having to drive over 40 miles for those appointments, especially in rural areas. Even urban cores face challenges related to transportation, access to health professionals, and appointment scheduling," Spivey said, highlighting a general shortage of practitioners in the state.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) stated that insufficient care translates to less data on maternal mental health. Dr. Ann Anderson Berry, medical director of the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, emphasized that inadequate screening and fewer women entering care hinder understanding of perinatal depression and its impact during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
On Wednesday, Spivey and other advocates presented their interim study to the Health and Human Services Committee, advocating for policy changes that could better support women and families. "This is an opportunity to show how policy can provide the necessary services in an affordable way that is accessible," Spivey remarked.
The aim is to identify alterations in state policy, insurance coverage, or funding that enhance maternal support during the upcoming legislative session. Spivey stressed the importance of meeting women where they are and providing various support options, including medical treatments or community resources. She also mentioned a new collaboration between I Be Black Girl, Nebraska Medicine, and UNMC, which is working on the Mindful Moms program—a centering model designed to help manage perinatal mental health during pregnancy.
From her experience, Spivey emphasized the value of community. She encouraged new and expecting parents to lean on their support networks and communicate their feelings. For partners of pregnant individuals, she suggested developing a plan to share responsibilities and reduce stress before the arrival of the child.