Studies show that 25% of women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, from the start of pregnancy up to one year after giving birth. Less than half receive treatment. As the busiest maternity destination in California—delivering more than 8,000 babies every year—Hoag is committed to increasing access to its Maternal Mental Health Program and related support services for new and expectant mothers. Community philanthropists stand firmly behind them.
 
Created in partnership with local donors in 2018, the Maternal Mental Health Program identifies and treats mental health conditions before, during, and after pregnancy, ensuring better outcomes for both mothers and babies. Hoag clinicians provide preconception planning for women with existing mental health conditions, mental health assessments, medication safety evaluations during pregnancy and postpartum, and individual and group psychotherapy.
 
What makes the program’s group therapy model so unique is its custom curriculum, designed by a Hoag therapist, applying cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to the group setting. Groups meet virtually multiple times a week, offering moms, especially those who feel isolated, the care they need from the comfort of their homes. The group dynamic allows patients to observe others, benefit from each other’s learnings, and develop a strong social support network to help practically apply new tools. 
 
Like the Maternal Mental Health Program, Postpartum+—an extension of Hoag’s in-home care service Hoag at Home—gives women choice and flexibility when seeking out additional support during the challenging postpartum period. Because every woman’s experience is unique, home visits from a board-certified nurse practitioner include an individualized care plan to ensure moms have all the resources they need to recover from birth and care for their newborns. 
 
To learn how you can support the Maternal Mental Health Program, contact Camille Schwan, senior director of development, at 949-764-7244 or Camille.Schwan@hoag.org. To give the gift of Postpartum+ to a new mom you love, call 949-736-6103.  

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