Addressing Maternal Mental Health: Bridging Gaps and Fighting Inequities
A message from Dr. Maria Muzik, MC3 Perinatal Medical Director
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Maternal mental health disorders affect up to 1 in 5 expecting and postpartum mothers, with women of color in the U.S. suffering at even higher rates, according to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.
In my daily work, I witness the remarkable strength and resilience of families navigating the perinatal period. Yet, these experiences are tempered by sobering statistics, particularly the stark discrepancies in maternal mental health care and birth outcomes for women of color. National data reveal that Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, highlighting systemic inequities and implicit biases.
Attending Michigan’s Maternal Infant Health Summit (MIHS) in Lansing this past June was a powerful opportunity to collaborate on maternal justice. The event united multidisciplinary stakeholders, including mental health professionals, to address these critical issues head-on. MIHS fosters a collaborative environment where we can exchange innovative ideas and uplift families and communities as changemakers. Our shared goal is to translate these discussions into tangible actions that improve maternal and infant health outcomes for all.
A significant highlight for myself and the MC3 team was attending a committee hearing on the Michigan "Momnibus” bill package at the State Capitol on June 18. This comprehensive package aims to improve perinatal health by addressing systemic racism and other social determinants of health. According to the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance program, there are 80 to 90 maternal deaths annually in our state, and some experts estimate that 80% or more of these deaths are preventable. This bill package is crucial for supporting Michigan families.
MC3 supports the well-being of pregnant and postpartum mothers and their families through consultation and direct care. With your help, so far this year we have served 299 patients through direct care, signed up 78 new providers, and consulted on 499 cases! Together, we are driving the change needed to ensure healthier births, greater access to maternal mental health care, and stronger families across Michigan!
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Maria Muzik, M.D., M.Sc.
MC3 Perinatal Medical Director
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MC3 will be closed on Monday, Sep. 2, for the Labor Day holiday. Prescribers are still welcome to submit consultation requests during that time, but those consults will not be coordinated until the MC3 team returns to the office.
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If you're a prescriber and have never submitted a consult or it's been a while, you can watch this brief video about how the process works.
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Welcoming new faces at MC3 | |
The MC3 team is thrilled to welcome the following new team members: | |
Clinical Pearls Video Series on pediatric behavioral health topics | |
Pediatric providers, have you checked out our newest educational videos? They offer straightforward recommendations for the assessment and management of common pediatric behavioral health conditions. | |
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Topics & length:
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Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Self-Harm (16 minutes)
- Pediatric Psychopharmacology (11 minutes)
- Substance Use Disorders (17 minutes)
- Trauma-Informed Care (13 minutes)
- Aggression and Behavioral Dysregulation (26 minutes)
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Perinatal Patient Care services | |
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MC3 offers direct perinatal mental health services to patients in select counties. This includes free same-day access to virtual counseling, case management, and patient care coordination.
Learn more about these services:
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If you aren't already using them, make sure you check out our helpful resources: | |
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NEW: Pediatric
Resource Library
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Perinatal Psychopharmacology Reference Cards | | |
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Reference Cards | | |
Perinatal Provider Toolkit | | |
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The Menstrual Cycle and Mood Disorders
Sep. 18, 12–1 p.m. ET
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The Parent Toolkit: What Providers Should Know
Oct. 16, 12–1 p.m. ET | | |
Ongoing support for providers | |
Provider Café: We're here to listen. The MC3 Provider Café provides an opportunity to check in and talk about how you're managing your stress and the stress of your patients. | | |
Group Case Consultation: We're here to offer guidance. MC3 Group Case Consultations give primary care clinics and provider groups educational opportunities to discuss and review patients with one of our consulting psychiatrists. | | | |
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Postpartum mom helped by MC3 talks about her experience with PPD & anxiety | | |
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A Day in the Life: Rena Menke, Ph.D., maternal and infant psychologist | | |
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State of mind: Mental health remains a high priority following pandemic | |
Introduction to Treating Patients with Buprenorphine for PCPs | |
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Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) will host a training on September 16, 12–4 p.m. ET, Introduction to Treating Patients with Buprenorphine for Primary Care Providers, with Dr. Sheba Sethi and Dr. Eliza Hutchinson.
This training offers 4 CME credits and a $250 incentive to Primary Care Providers (Physicians and Advanced Practice Professionals) who attend. Early registration is encouraged, as the incentive will be limited to the first 250 registered PCPs.
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Group photos of MC3's Perinatal Patient Care team at the Maternal Infant Health Summit in Lansing, June 2024 | |
L-R: Elizabeth Hertel (MDHHS Director) with Dr. Maria Muzik (MC3 Perinatal Medical Director) and Sandra Bitonti-Stewart (MC3 Perinatal Patient Care & Zero to Thrive Strategy Director) at the Maternal Infant Health Summit | |
Group photos of MC3's Regional Behavioral Health Consultants, Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultants, and leaders at a meeting in Ann Arbor, April 2024 | |
MC3 staff members Dr. Elizabeth Tengelitsch (Lead Analyst), Anne Kramer (Program Director), and Sarah Wise (Emergency Services Project Manager) at the Second Annual Meeting of Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) Teams in Cleveland, July 2024 | |
Part of the event and training team at an MC3 Regional Forum in Port Huron, June 2024 | |
L-R: Amy Scott and Chelsey Caley (MC3 Perinatal Patient Care Behavioral Health Consultants) with Drs. Rena Menke (MC3 Perinatal Patient Care Lead Behavioral Health Consultant) and Maria Muzik (MC3 Perinatal Medical Director) | |
Videos: MC3 medical directors explain the program | |
MC3 is part of the Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry and is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) via general funds, Medicaid Administration funds, and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funds. | |
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