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Welcome to the Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) program’s quarterly newsletter! This newsletter serves to inform the public about our activities, public meetings, training and funding opportunities. You can view past newsletters on our program page.
MHI news
Perinatal mood disorder training with Postpartum Support International
On August 3–4, 2026, 183 individuals in Wisconsin were trained by Postpartum Support International on perinatal mood disorders.
This two-day course was coordinated by the MHI program and University of Wisconsin Center for Transition, Education, and Employment providing 165 scholarships to attendees.
This is the first step for attendees to earn their Perinatal Mental Health Certificate, expanding the education and skillset of both clinical and non-clinical maternal health workforce.
Screening is one step to recognizing perinatal mood disorders, however access to high-quality care and connection to trained professionals ensures women get the support they deserve.
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September is Suicide Awareness Month
From 2016 to 2023, mental health conditions were the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in Wisconsin, accounting for almost 44% of deaths—in that time, 11.7% of pregnancy-related deaths were suicides.
Support is available for individuals:
- The National Maternal Mental Health hotline is available in English and Spanish. Call or Text 1-833-852-6262. Postpartum Support International offers virtual support groups, call and text helplines and supports with resource connection. Visit Get Help | Postpartum Support International (PSI).
- Individuals can also reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to.
Together Wisconsin can prevent future maternal mental health and overdose deaths.
MHI updates
New data dashboard: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among mothers
The MHI Program partnered with the Core State Injury Prevention Program to create a new data dashboard about ACEs among Wisconsin mothers. ACEs are very stressful circumstances that happen during childhood. The dashboard includes information on ACEs among people who gave birth in Wisconsin and how ACEs impact maternal health.
This dashboard is a part of a series of maternal health data dashboards. There is a video tutorial available that shows how to navigate the dashboards.
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New report: Maternal health community conversations
In 2025, the MHI program funded 11 organizations across Wisconsin to conduct 11 community conversations.
Organizations facilitated conversations that focused on three priority areas from the Maternal Health Innovation Strategic Plan to access to quality care, supporting mental health and substance use treatment, and supporting efforts to improve tust and safety in health care settings. A new report shares findings from these community conversations.
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New issue brief: Rural Maternal Health is Everyone’s Concern
The Maternal Mortality Review program released a new issue brief in August 2026 that focuses on the importance of addressing decreasing access to maternal health care in rural Wisconsin. Since 2022, 12 facilities across Wisconsin have permanently closed their birthing services.
Review the brief and share it with your networks! Help us raise awareness and turn insight into action to support positive maternal health outcomes statewide.
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PRAMS summer newsletter
The Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) released its Summer 2026 Quarterly Newsletter. PRAMS newsletters share program updates, data highlights, and ways to access PRAMS data. Visit Wisconsin PRAMS to learn more and subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed.
Upcoming conferences
MHI will be tabling at the conferences below. Visit us to grab brochures and resources!
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