Why It Matters
Maternal mental health conditions affect one in five mothers nationwide and cost the U.S. economy an estimated $14.2 billion annually. A new national assessment shows incremental progress in state-level support systems, but persistent gaps in parental leave and childcare access continue to limit treatment for postpartum depression and related disorders.
What Happened
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health released its 2026 Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards in collaboration with George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. The national grade improved from C- to C, marking the fourth annual evaluation of how states address maternal mental health through screening, provider access, payment policy, and parental support.
Mississippi and Alabama, which received failing grades in 2025, both moved up to D grades this year. No state earned an A grade. Ten states earned B grades, including six first-time B recipients: Washington, D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and New York. Twenty-six states received C grades.
By the Numbers
The report evaluated states across 27 measures in four domains. A new parental support category, measuring paid leave and childcare access, received a failing grade nationally. Thirty-one states earned less than one star out of a possible five in the parental support domain. Maine received the highest rating at 3.5 stars. Fourteen states earned two or more stars.
One in five mothers experience maternal mental health conditions annually, yet most do not receive adequate treatment. Untreated disorders carry long-term consequences for maternal well-being, family stability, and child development.
Zoom Out
The assessment comes as maternal mental health conditions remain a leading cause of maternal mortality nationwide. The report cards provide state policymakers with benchmarks for improving screening, expanding provider networks, adjusting payment structures, and strengthening parental support systems.
The evaluation framework includes screening and detection protocols, provider availability and treatment access, policy and payment mechanisms, and the newly added parental support measures covering paid leave and childcare affordability.
What’s Next
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health will continue annual assessments to track state progress. Advocates are calling for expanded paid leave policies and childcare infrastructure to enable mothers to attend medical appointments and recover from childbirth while managing mental health needs.
The full 2026 report cards and a summary of findings are publicly available. Perigee Fund provided grant support for the 2026 evaluation.