🏜️ Raising the Grade: Growing the Perinatal Mental Health Workforce Together
Can you guess how AZ scored: A, B, C, D, or F? 🌵
🎉 What We’re Celebrating!
Happy June! There certainly is a lot to celebrate this month: 🏳️🌈 PRIDE, ✴️ Juneteenth, ❇️ National Indigenous History Month, 💙 PTSD Awareness Month and PTSD Awareness Day, 🗓️ International Father’s Mental Health Day, AND 🎁 Father’s Day!
As we celebrate together, help grow awareness of our free, virtual PSI support groups serving these populations:
🏳️🌈 Queer & Trans Parent Support Group
✴️ Black Moms Connect Support Group
💙 Birth Trauma Support Group
🗓️ Dad Support Group & explore our PSI-AZ birthing partner / father resource webpage!
This Juneteenth, we’re shining a light on birth equity—working to prevent birth PTSD and ensure dads feel included, empowered, and supported every step of the way.
🎉 Birth Storytelling Workshop Series
In partnership with The State of Black Arizona and South Phoenix Healthy Start, we’re honored to present a four-part trauma-informed experience centered on community, healing, and advocacy. This series uplifts the emotional and mental well-being of birthing people - especially from Black, Indigenous, and historically underserved communities - by creating spaces for truth-telling and support.
🌄 First-Ever Flagstaff PSI Certification Training - Registration is OPEN!
We’re proud to announce the first-ever Northern Arizona Perinatal Mental Health Certification training series co-hosted by PSI-AZ and First Things First Arizona in Flagstaff! Join this momentous learning opportunity at Lowell Observatory:
August 20 & 21 – Components of Care: Perinatal Mood Disorders
🎓 14.5 CEUs providedAugust 22 – Advanced Psychotherapy Training
🎓 6 CEUs provided
Scholarships and travel expense reimbursement are available! Please note: applicants must apply for a scholarship before registering. Can’t make Flagstaff, no problem - there quarterly virtual offerings too!
👉 Scholarships Available!
Don’t wait, apply now for your scholarship! Scholarships prioritize licensed and lay providers who:
identify as BIPOC,
serve rural counties,
and/or accept Medicaid.
PSI-AZ is proud to offer scholarships for perinatal mental health training in 2025 thanks to the Arizona Department of Health Services and Banner Health.
Please note: Scholarship applications are reviewed on the 15th of each month. Apply ASAP, because you’ll need the scholarship code to get the full discount during registration!
🌟 Rural Maternal Mental Health Spotlight
At the 51st Arizona Rural Health Conference, PSI-AZ Board Chair Dr. Kelly Donohue presented on “The Unique Challenges of Maternal Mental Health Care in Rural Settings.” Her talk shed light on the critical barriers and opportunities facing rural Arizona families—limited access, stigma, and provider shortages—while also reinforcing the need for targeted solutions.
More importantly, this reflects a broader impact: Advancing awareness, prevention, and treatment among communities that are disproportionately affected by perinatal mental health challenges. We’re proud to be a part of statewide conversations that center equity and action.
🏜️ Arizona Struggles to Meet Maternal Mental Healthcare Needs
Last month the 2025 Maternal Mental Health State report cards were released. Overall 2025 national grade improved slightly from a D+ to a C-; five states earned B’s and 19 states earned failing grades. Arizona received a “C” for the third year in a row. Efforts are underway, but federal funding cuts are challenging the momentum we’ve been developing to improve our grade, such as:
Leading the nation in growing Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) specialists via PSI-AZ scholarships.
PSI-AZ partnership with AHCCCS (Medicaid) Targeted Investment 2.0 program incentivizes employing PMH-Cs and implementing Perinatal Mental Health screening - even at pediatrician appointments.
The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Perinatal Mental Health Bundle across AZ in 2025. This program has lost momentum due to staffing cuts (50% of the staff let go) related to the federal government pulling back funds.
Sadly, we are ⚠️ at risk ⚠️ of losing our Arizona Perinatal Psychiatric Access Line due to Federal Health and Human Services funding cuts. It would be a tragedy to lose this crucial clinician-support service, just as usage is surging. (And of course drop our state report card grade too.) Want to help?? Share you “Save APAL” story (info below)!
📣 Save APAL!
The Arizona Psychiatric Access Lines have put out a call to action: if you are a provider that has used APAL and have benefitted from it, they are requesting that you share your story here. Our voices are the most impactful way to continue supporting the program, in order to keep it running.
Pictured: Dr. Kelly Cooper Donahue with Dr. Kathryn Emerick of APAL.
🙌 We’re Thrilled to Share that HB 2332 has Officially Passed!
Here’s a win amid federal funding cuts: A heartfelt thank you to Governor Hobbs for signing HB2332 into law, and to Representative Julie Willoughby (R–13) and the Chamber of Mothers Phoenix/Gilbert Chapter for championing it.
The bill calls for educational materials on maternal mental health—including postpartum depression—and creates an advisory committee to strengthen OB/GYN and mental health services in rural Arizona.
It’s inspiring to see bipartisan support for Arizona moms. Sign up to be a PSI-AZ volunteer and we’ll keep you up to date with the latest advocacy opportunities!
ℹ️ Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance State Fact Sheet: Arizona
Did you know:
Untreated Maternal Mental Health conditions cost Arizona over $200 million each year!
Almost HALF of AZ births are financed by medicaid!
Arizona’s Maternal Mortality rate EXCEEDS the national rate!
The Fact Sheet highlights key data on maternal mental health and highlights resources that serve Arizona families.
Get the facts, be informed and share with confidence!
🗓️ Upcoming Events: You Don’t Want to Miss These!
📝 Upcoming Training from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm PT | Virtual
Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them, risk factors, and treatment options. The course is designed for providers, administrators, and public health employees, though all are welcome. CEUs/CMEs are not available for this event. Register Here
🌺 38th Annual PSI Conference 2025
July 9-13, 2025 | New Orleans, Louisiana
The PSI Annual PSI Conference provides an opportunity to meet, learn together and share ideas with others involved in the field of Perinatal Mental Health. Register Here. If you’re going, drop us an email so we can connect you with other from AZ!
🎉 Birth Storytelling Workshop Series
In partnership with The State of Black Arizona and South Phoenix Healthy Start, we’re honored to present a powerful new series centering the emotional and mental well-being of birthing people—especially those from Black, Indigenous, and historically marginalized communities.
Interested in volunteering? Fill out the Volunteer Form and write "Birth Storytelling Series".
🗣️ 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,
Dr. Katie Mommaerts
Executive Director
Arizona Chapter
Postpartum Support International