§280g–18 Maternal mental health hotline

Summary

Funds and maintains a national maternal mental health hotline that gives emotional support, information, short-term help, and mental health and substance use resources to pregnant and postpartum women and their families or household members. The hotline must run 24/7 in real time, take voice and text contacts, and be staffed by trained certified peer specialists or licensed health or mental health professionals who can provide culturally and language-appropriate help and serve underserved groups and people with disabilities. The hotline must link callers to other crisis lines (Domestic Violence Hotline, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Veterans Crisis Line) when needed, run a public awareness campaign, and coordinate with federal agencies (including SAMHSA and the Department of Veterans Affairs) and state, local, and Tribal health officials. An annual report to Congress must evaluate the hotline, list referral organizations, and include other needed information. $10,000,000 is authorized for each fiscal year 2023 through 2027.