Without Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Interventions, We Can’t Address the Maternal Mortality Crisis

At the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we know that every one of us, regardless of who we are or our background, deserves access to quality behavioral health care resources and services. In everything that we do, we strive to advance equity, eliminate health disparities, and promote overall well-being for all, including individuals with non-English language preference (NELP). After all, language is not just a means of communication; language is also about creating opportunity, embracing cultural identity, creating connection, and fostering belonging.

Tomorrow, 25 years ago, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision affirmed the rights of people with disabilities – including those with serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED) – to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The case involved two Georgia women – Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson – living with intellectual disabilities and mental illness.

Ask almost anyone about suicide, and you’ll likely find they have been personally impacted by the loss – or near loss – of a loved one. It’s perhaps not surprising given the statistics. In 2022 alone, more than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide, the highest number ever recorded (PDF | 440 KB) in this country. That means one death every 11 minutes. And sadly, there are millions more Americans who considered or attempted suicide.