“Postpartum depression is one of the most common and under-recognized problems in mental health.”
Veena Luthra, MD – Medical Director
Mothers’ mental health has far-reaching impact and is worthy of so much more attention in health care. In our recent webinar, “Engaging Care Management to Support Maternal Mental Health,” Lucet’s Veena Luthra, MD (Medical Director) and Keri Coy (Senior Director of Care Management), explored how care management can close many of the critical gaps in maternal mental health care that exist today.
A fraught time
Becoming a mother isn’t always joyful — depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy are common for many women. Dr. Luthra explained that up to 80% of new moms experience the “baby blues,” but one in five face something more serious: postpartum depression (PPD).
“Postpartum depression is one of the most common and under-recognized problems in mental health,” noted Dr. Luthra.
PPD affects up to half a million women in the U.S. each year. It’s marked by persistent symptoms that last more than two weeks, and it can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby. When left untreated, PPD poses serious risks for both mother and child, leading to strained bonding, family stress and health complications. In the most tragic cases, it can result in maternal suicide, which is now the leading cause of maternal death. The economic toll exacted by PPD is also staggering — an estimated $14 billion annually.
This crisis hits women of color hardest. Black mothers are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes and are less likely to receive treatment for perinatal depression. Systemic barriers like stigma, childcare needs, lack of paid leave and structural racism only exacerbate the divide, and while therapy and medication can work, access remains a major hurdle for this population.
“It’s more than just giving referrals and resources. Our care managers first work to normalize what they’re going through and let them know that their feelings are valid and that they’re not alone.”
Keri Coy – Senior Director, Care Management
Care management support can play a pivotal role
Keri Coy described how care managers can serve as a vital bridge, connecting new moms to the resources they need while offering compassionate, person-centered support. She cautioned that maternal mental health support must go beyond awareness campaigns and checklists, and include coordinated, compassionate and culturally competent care that meets mothers where they are.
Care managers are the connective tissue of that system, and if the health care system is serious about improving outcomes for mothers and their families, more investment is crucial. As Keri explained, care managers are more than navigators — they’re lifelines. They screen for risks, offer emotional support, connect moms to resources and stay engaged to ensure real care happens. They can help address social determinants of health (SDoH) involving housing, food, transportation and financial stress, which all impact a mother’s ability to heal.
“Our care managers first work to normalize what they’re going through and let them know that their feelings are valid and that they’re not alone,” said Keri.
Care managers should receive specialized perinatal training, allowing them to guide members through one of life’s most vulnerable stages with skill and compassion. Lucet’s model collaborates closely with referring health plans, providers and community resources to ensure that members receive wraparound support. Through regular assessments and personalized care plans, care management can identify risks early and intervene quickly to protect both mother and child.
Maternal care management in action
Keri Coy discussed the following case to show the transformative power of care management:
At six weeks postpartum, a 27-year-old woman from rural America was referred to Lucet. Despite a history of depression and a supportive family, she was overwhelmed — her home foreclosed, finances strained and mental health deteriorating. Our care manager responded immediately with empathy, safety screenings and consistent support. We connected her to therapy, postpartum-safe medication and critical community services. In just seven weeks, her depression scores dropped by more than half. She returned to work, regained housing stability and reconnected with her baby.
This is what maternal mental health care should look like — coordinated, compassionate and comprehensive. It’s not just about treating symptoms, but also about helping mothers reclaim their lives.
Read more about PPD here and watch this episode of our “Mind Matters” video series.
Rachel Jenkins is a marketing manager at Lucet.
