Women's Mental Health

Women’s Mental Health at UMass Memorial Medical Center

UMass Memorial Medical Center offers two women’s mental health programs, the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP) for Moms and the Women’s Mental Health Clinic.

Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP) for Moms

UMass Memorial Medical Center is Central Massachusetts’ hub for this statewide program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.  

If you are planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant or breastfeeding or within a year of having a baby, and you or your health care provider are worried about your mental health, your provider can call MCPAP for Moms for:

• A phone conversation with an expert to talk about treatment choices. 

• A one-time visit for you with an expert.  The expert will talk to you and your provider about treatment choices.

• A list of mental health resources to share with you.

• Help with finding appointments for therapy, medication treatment, and support groups.

Your provider will need to share your name and personal health information with the expert and our staff.  MCPAP for Moms follows rules that keep your information private.

Please visit www.mcpapformoms.org and click the “For Mothers and Families” tab to learn more about:

• Support groups for moms.

• Resources for women who are pregnant or just had a baby.

• Tip sheets for talking with your health care provider about mental health concerns.

• Phone numbers and on-line resources.

• Resources for fathers and partners.

• Supports for parents and families.

• Resources if you have lost a pregnancy or a baby.

If you are concerned about how you are feeling, talk to your health care provider. You can also talk to your baby’s health care provider. These providers may include your: obstetrician or midwife, primary care doctor, pediatric provider or nurse practitioner.

Women’s Mental Health Clinic

The Women's Mental Health Clinic at UMass Memorial Medical Center provides consultations and direct care for each reproductive phase of life, offering consultative and treatment services for mental health issues related to menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and other reproductive health concerns.

Consultation Services

Our psychiatric providers can provide consultative services to your mental health provider, obstetrician, gynecologist or primary care provider for the following concerns:

• Premenstrual syndromes

• Stress related to infertility treatment

• Preconception and pregnancy counseling

• Postpartum psychiatric illness (such as postpartum depression)

• Breast-feeding counseling

• Perimenopause and its impact on psychiatric issues

• Breast and gynecologic cancers

• Pelvic pain

• Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Treatment Options

As part of your care for these conditions, short-term treatment (up to six months) services may include:

• Individual and group psychotherapy

• Medication consultation and treatment

• Diagnosis and stabilization of mood or anxiety difficulties