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March 06, 2025 - Pittsburgh, PA

Shapiro Administration Leaders Encourage Postpartum Depression Screenings for All Pennsylvania Mothers, Call for Faster Referrals to Mental Health Services

Shapiro Administration officials from the departments of Human Services (DHS), Health (DOH),and Drugs and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) highlighted Governor Josh Shapiro's proposal in this year's budget to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms.

During a visit to the Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Alexis Joy D'Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health, leaders shared how postpartum depression can occur weeks and months after childbirth, where mothers experience a broad range of symptoms including but not limited to sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, change in appetite, difficulty in sleep, mood swings and thoughts of self-harm that may make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, including caring for themselves and their babies. Postpartum depression affects one in eight mothers across the country. It not only impacts the well-being of Pennsylvania mothers, but also has profound effects on their families and communities.

"For more than two decades, as a pediatrician, I worked with new mothers and their babies and saw firsthand the impact pregnancy-related depression has on women and their families," said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. "Implementing universal postpartum depression screenings and referrals to evidence-based treatment options for all Pennsylvania mothers is a meaningful action we can take to ensure women receive the care they need during a critical time in their lives."

Speakers Include:
Dr. Brian Johnson, AHN West Penn Hospital President
Steven D'Achille, President of the Alexis Joy D'Achille Foundation
Dr. Debra Bogen, DOH Secretary
Sara Goulet, DHS Special Advisor
Kelly Primus, DDAP Deputy Secretary
Dr. Ewurama Sackey, AHN Medical Director of the Women's Behavioral Health, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute
Dr. Priya Gopalan, Chief of Psychiatry for UPMC Magree-Womens Hospital
Jessica Tucker, Patient at the Alexis Joy D'Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health



The Shapiro Administration, joined by maternal health leaders, highlights the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. The Governors 2025-2026 budget proposal directs the Department of Health to prepare doctors and nurses to identify signs of postpartum depression more quickly and speed up referrals to mental health professionals. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_01.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration, joined by maternal health leaders, highlights the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_02.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Human Services Special Advisor Sara Goulet highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_03.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_04.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_05.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> AHN West Penn Hospital President Dr. Brian Johnson emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_06.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> AHN West Penn Hospital President Dr. Brian Johnson emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_07.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Alexis Joy Foundation President Steven D'Achille emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_08.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_09.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_10.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Human Services Special Advisor Sara Goulet highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_11.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Human Services Special Advisor Sara Goulet highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_12.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_13.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> AHN Women's Behavioral Health Medical Director Dr. Ewurama Sackey emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_14.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> AHN Women's Behavioral Health Medical Director Dr. Ewurama Sackey emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_15.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> AHN Women's Behavioral Health Medical Director Dr. Ewurama Sackey emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_16.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Chief of Psychiatry and psychiatrist at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Dr. Priya Gopalan emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_17.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Chief of Psychiatry and psychiatrist at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Dr. Priya Gopalan emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_18.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Jessica Tucker, a patient at the Alexis Joy DAchille Center for Perinatal Mental Health emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_19.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_20.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration, joined by maternal health leaders, highlights the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_21.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_22.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_23.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_24.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_25.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Alexis Joy Foundation President Steven D'Achille emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_27.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Alexis Joy Foundation President Steven D'Achille emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_28.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_29.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Human Services Special Advisor Sara Goulet highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_30.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_31.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Chief of Psychiatry and psychiatrist at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Dr. Priya Gopalan emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_33.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Jessica Tucker, a patient at the Alexis Joy DAchille Center for Perinatal Mental Health emphasizes the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers. Postpartum depression affects one in eight moms across the country and can occur months after childbirth. In Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_36.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights The Shapiro Administrations efforts to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_37.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration, joined by maternal health leaders, highlights the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_38.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration, joined by maternal health leaders, highlights the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_39.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration, joined by maternal health leaders, highlights the need for postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania mothers, in Pittsburgh, PA on March 6, 2025.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27314_doh_postpartum_health_40.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>