🪴April: Spring into Action
National Volunteer Month, Advocacy Opportunities and Fundraising
Welcome April!
This April we are celebrating World Health Day (April 5th), Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17th), Black Doula Day (April 11th), Earth Day (April 22nd) and Cesarean Awareness Month.
Here are some resources that PSI specifically offers these groups:
Birth Trauma Support for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Birthing People
Black Moms in Loss Support Group
Additionally we step into the month of April, we are excited to celebrate National Volunteer Month—a time to honor the incredible individuals who selflessly give their time, energy, and skills to make a difference in our community. Here at PSI-AZ we are deeply grateful for the volunteers who support our mission of improving maternal and parental mental health.
Every day, our volunteers help us provide essential resources, support, and advocacy to families navigating the often challenging journey of parenthood.
We need your help! In order to continue doing this work, we need volunteers. Please consider supporting PSI AZ’s mission of promoting awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every county and tribal community statewide by volunteering with our organization. Submit your interest form here.
Let’s jump into what’s new and noteworthy in Arizona🌵!
PSI-AZ Gets Involved for National Mental Health Advocacy Day of Action
PSI-AZ proudly represented Arizona on April 2nd for the National Mental Health Advocacy Day of Action.
Representatives from our board met with staffers from Senator Ruben Gallego and Representative Greg Stanton’s offices to request support for continued funding National Maternal Mental health Hotline and the State Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.
These programs are crucial to providing resources to frontline healthcare providers to address maternal mental health conditions in their patients, in order to prevent moms in crisis from falling through the cracks of the healthcare system.
We also shed light on the catastrophic ramifications related to the recent stop work order issued to the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatric Access Line, as well as how cutting state Medicaid funding would harm Arizona birthers, their babies and their families.
If you’d like to get involved, consider joining us for Mental Health Day at the Capitol (more information below) or join us as a volunteer.
A Call to Action: An Update on APAL
After launching the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line (APAL) in 2023, APAL was able to provide essential support to clinicians across the state, including those in rural and tribal areas. The program has been a lifeline, answering calls for help from providers in overwhelmed hospitals, clinics, and even remote locations. Since its launch, APAL has maintained a 39% call-back rate, showing how vital the service is.
However, in a sudden blow, APAL received a retroactive stop-work order on March 26, cutting off funding and leaving the program at risk of closure. Despite the setback, thanks to emergency support from the University of Arizona and partners, APAL is continuing operations for now. But we need your help to ensure APAL's survival.
Maternal mental illness remains the leading cause of maternal mortality in Arizona and nationwide, and we cannot afford to lose this critical resource. We’re calling for your support and advocacy to help us continue saving lives and supporting families in crisis. To learn more about our efforts and how you can help, contact us directly.
Dignity Health Community Health Improvements Grant Awardee
PSI-AZ was proud to be a part of St. Joseph’s Community Health Improvements Grant Program in conjunction with the Arizona Coalition for Change.
Upcoming Fundraising Opportunity
May is Maternal Mental Health Month! PSI-AZ will be holding a fundraiser to help support our efforts to protect parental mental health in Arizona. We will be asking individuals to donate what they can- even $1 makes a difference. With federal and state programs being cut, now is the time for all of us to stand together to help protect parental mental health. Look out for a special edition of our newsletter going out with a link to donate!
🗓️ Upcoming Events: You Don’t Want to Miss These!
❇️ Mental Health Day at the Arizona Capitol
Use your voice to make collective impact alongside PSI-AZ, Arizona Peer and Family Coalition plus many other like-minded organizations as we promote mental health awareness and advance critical policy priorities to address the top challenges: Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages, Provider Stain and Housing Gaps. All are welcome! It’s not to late to register here
✨Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101
April 30, 10:30 - 12p PT | Zoom
Learn more about how to recognize and effectively respond to substance use concerns during pregnancy, early parenthood, and with the birthing parent/child dyad. Considerations related to treatment and supporting the parent-child relationship will be discussed. Register Today (FREE)
✨APAL Grand Rounds | AHCCCS Impact on Perinatal Mental Health
Friday, April 18, 12 -1p | virtual
Catherine (Kate) Dobler, State Opioid Treatment Authority and Rachael Salley, Maternal Child Health/EPSDT Manager
Kate and Rachael will be discussing the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System's Impact on Perinatal Mental Health. Join here
✨Tucson Perinatal Mental Health Coalition | Quarterly Community Learning Event
Tuesday, April 22, 12 -2p | St. Joseph Hospital Auditorium (located in the basement) 350 N. Wilmot Rd
Elise Erickson PhD, CNM, FACNM will be speaking about the Relationship Between Birth Complications and PMADs. Register here
🗣️Do You Have a Perinatal Mental Health Job to Fill?
Share your organization’s PMH job posting which gets over 1,500 views. Jobs will be included in our monthly eNews: 1 month for $30. Contact: psi.arizona1@gmail.com
With Gratitude,
Elizabeth Wood
Arizona Chapter Chair
Postpartum Support International
