| Strengthening Maternal and Infant Mental Health Together
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Strengthening Maternal and Infant Mental Health Together
August 25, 2026Read time 2 min
How three coordinated investments are helping mothers and babies thrive together from the very start
For a first-time mother, bringing home a newborn baby can be both joyful and overwhelming. The days are long, sleep is scarce and support can feel out of reach. Feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation can quietly take hold, affecting both mother and child at a moment that matters most
That mother’s story is at the heart of three recent investments the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is making to strengthen maternal and infant mental health re
Imagine this mother nearing her breaking point when a trained home visitor arrives at her door, offering mental health support and parenting guidance to help her build a strong bond with her baby. That’s the work of Changent, whose evidence-based programs serve families during the earliest and most critical years of a child’s development
Months later, the mother brings her baby to a pediatric appointment. The baby is evaluated, but no one asks how she’s doing. Georgetown University’s Thrive Center is working to change that by testing care models that support parents and children together, recognizing that the well-being of one directly shapes the well-being of the other
But improving care delivery is only part of the solution. To create lasting change for families, we also need new tools, technologies, and approaches that can better identify and address mental health needs from the start. Historically, maternal and infant mental health has received limited investment relative to its importance and impact. The March of Dimes’ Innovation Fund is helping to invest in new tools and solutions that can identify mental health needs earlier and connect more families to care.
Each of these organizations addresses a different part of the challenge. Together, they are building a stronger network of support so that more mothers and babies can get the care they need from the start–not only to get through the difficult moments, but to thrive
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