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I was born and raised in Alabama. After years of studying psychology and counseling, I made the decision to build my career in our great state. It’s here, among my patients, that I’ve seen firsthand the profound challenges many women face after childbirth—challenges that Alabama has the power to address. One of the most urgent is postpartum depression (PPD).
In Alabama, 20 percent of new mothers experience PPD, a rate significantly higher than the national average. PPD affects more mothers here in Alabama than in almost any other state. These moms aren’t just struggling with the “baby blues.” PPD is a serious mental health condition that can last for months at a time, resulting in severe symptoms with negative impacts on the quality of life of both the mother and child. Depressed mood, loss of appetite, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of harming the baby, and recurring thoughts of suicide make PPD a potentially deadly illness.
If left untreated, the wellbeing of the mother and baby is jeopardized. Experts note that “negative long-term consequences to the infant’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development have been reported.”
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health has described PPD as a condition with “devastating consequences” for families if left untreated. And the severity of these symptoms underscores the urgency for new mothers to receive swift and effective treatment as soon as symptoms appear. Delays in treatment could result in disastrous consequences for either the newborn’s development or the mother’s mental state.
The stakes are high. Babies of mothers with untreated PPD are at greater risk for developmental delays, behavioral issues, and poor emotional attachment. Families often bear the brunt of emotional and financial strain, and our communities feel the ripple effects. PPD costs Alabama hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses, according to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. This is a crisis that affects us all.
Alabama has already taken a step in the right direction by extending Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months. This policy change ensures more mothers can access care during the critical first year after childbirth. But there’s still more we must do.
Universal PPD screening during pregnancy and postpartum visits is a vital next step. Early detection saves lives and prevents long-term harm to mothers and their babies. These solutions aren’t just good policy; they reflect our shared commitment to supporting families and building a stronger Alabama. For mothers on Medicaid, this support would be particularly impactful, as they are more likely to suffer from PPD compared to their counterparts on commercial insurance.
This issue is about valuing mothers, babies, and families—the foundation of our communities. When mothers receive the care they need, they can bond with their babies, return to work, and fully engage in their families and communities. When mothers thrive, so do we all.
As the 2025 legislative session approaches, I urge Alabama’s lawmakers to prioritize maternal mental health. By building on the progress we’ve made and enacting policies to extend care, ensure screenings and improve access to groundbreaking treatment, we can lead the way in recognizing the vital role of mothers in our state.
This is our moment to act. Let’s come together as Alabamians to ensure no mother faces this journey alone. Our families, our communities and our state’s future depend on it.
Madalyn Caldwell, PhD is a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Counselor practicing in Alabama.
