Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health

Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page! This fund was developed in response to the profound mental health crisis impacting perinatal* families in Georgia. Read on if you want to directly support our state's moms and parents who need it most!

*The period of time that begins with pregnancy and extends up to 2 years postpartum.

What is this fund?

The Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health is a grassroots crowdfunding effort to pay for fully funded therapy sessions for perinatal moms and families in Georgia.

This fund is rooted in the practice of mutual aid, with the understanding that our state’s healthcare systems have failed to meet the primary mental health needs of moms and parents. Georgia holds one of the highest maternal mortality rates and one of the worst records for mental health care access in the US.

We aim to raise $50,000 for perinatal moms and parents to receive 10 fully funded therapy sessions with a qualified perinatal therapist.

The goals of the fund are to:

1) improve access to perinatal mental health care for moms and parents in Georgia

2) promote mental health and healing as an essential part of parenting

3) support the improvement of health outcomes for all parents in Georgia

Who does this fund benefit?

All donations will be used to cover the costs of perinatal therapy sessions for anyone residing in Georgia who:

• Is currently pregnant

• Is up to 2 years postpartum

• Has experienced a pregnancy or infant loss in the past 2 years

• Has experienced a pregnancy termination in the past 2 years

• Is a non-birthing, step-, or adoptive parent with children 2 years and under

• Is experiencing infertility or undergoing fertility treatment

Though anyone who meets the above criteria may apply to receive funds, priority will be given to the uninsured and Medicaid recipients.

If you want to apply to RECEIVE therapy funds, click here.

Why is this fund needed?

Though there has been increasing coverage of our country’s mental health crisis, less attention has been paid to the perinatal or maternal mental health crisis, and even less to its impact on public health in Georgia:

• Georgia also holds the one of the worst records for maternal mortality in our country, with maternal suicide as the leading cause of death. In Georgia, Black women are 3 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women nationally.

• Nationwide, perinatal mental health disorders like postpartum depression and anxiety are the #1 complication of childbirth, impacting 1 in 5 parents (1 in 3 for BIPOC parents). This is widely understood to be an underestimation of how many are affected.

• In 2021, there were about 124,000 babies born in Georgia, 45% born to families living below the poverty line. Based on national statistics, this means that at least 24,000 parents (41,000 BIPOC parents) would experience a perinatal mental health issue.

• Georgia holds one of the worst records for access to mental health care in the US. Out of Georgia's 159 counties, 150 are experiencing a mental health care provider shortage, especially outside metro Atlanta. In 77 counties, there is not a single psychiatrist working full-time.

• Fewer than 90 certified perinatal mental health providers currently serve Georgia. Of those, only half accept insurance and only 2 are in network with Medicaid. This means that most perinatal parents who seek therapy cannot find a qualified clinician or afford their fees, which range from $80 to $250 per session.

How can you help?

The best and most direct way to help is to DONATE! Any amount is helpful and all support is appreciated.

For providers: If you are a certified perinatal provider (PMH-C) or a licensed therapist with more than 2 years of perinatal experience and you want to offer your services to fund recipients, please get in touch!

For perinatal moms and parents in GA: Our intake is OPEN! If you are interested in receiving therapy funds, please click here to learn more and apply.

You can also help by sharing this page and spreading the word within your networks!

georgiafund.org

IG: @GeorgiaFund

FB: /GeorgiaFund