The governor of Massachusetts is promoting a new initiative that would have nurses visit new mothers at home in the days after giving birth.
“Everybody in the state, when you have a baby, you’re going to have a home visit within days, weeks, and that will be an opportunity for a healthcare provider to make an assessment to see if you need some additional support and resources,” Gov. Maura Healey (D) told Boston Public Radio during an interview last week.
The initiative is part of the state’s plans to expand its Welcome Family program. Healey further proposed an additional $250,000 to the existing Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms, which provides mental health support to providers caring for pregnant and postpartum patients, Fox News reported.
The postpartum visits would include screenings for depression and other mental health concerns, which is meant to help identify families who are struggling and may need extra support.
“To every mom who has struggled with her mental health before, during or after pregnancy, I want you to know we see you — I see you,” Healey said during a visit to Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, per Fox KTVU.
While some commen...