Postpartum Statistics for Mississippi Mothers

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a mental illness after childbirth that affects many new mothers. PPD is different from what is referred to as “baby blues.” If the baby blues lasts more than two weeks, it is then considered postpartum depression. Baby blues may be “mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, feeling overwhelmed, crying, reduced concentration, appetite problems, and/or trouble sleeping,” (mayoclinic.org, 1998-2026).

While postpartum depression may include all those things and/or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, recurring thoughts of death, and more. There is also a stronger form of postpartum called postpartum psychosis which includes things like paranoia, hallucinations, and confusion.

According to Mississippi State Department of Health (MDHS), in 2021, postpartum depression affected 13% of mothers in the United States. In the state of Mississippi, 21% of mothers are reported to have experienced PPD in 2021. These numbers come from PRAMS, Pregnancy Risk and Assessment Monitoring System, which is performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MDHS. (Data Brief: Postpartum Depression 2021, MDHS website)

“Mississippi has the highest rate of postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms in the nation, with nearly 1 in 6 new mothers affected in 2023 (17.1%).” (Mental Health Stats, accessed 2026). With 22.9% of PPD cases presented in 2020, statistics show that the increase of PPD between 2020 and 2024 was 25%. With Mississippi at 17.1% and the national average at 11.9% in 2023, it puts Mississippi at 44% higher than the national average. Mississippi ranked 46 on the America’s Health Ranking: United Health Foundation list for PPD in 2023.

All these statistics will make one wonder about the health options available to postpartum mothers. Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (MMH) 2024 report card for Mississippi shows that providers and programs do not: meet ratio of non-prescriber MMH providers to perinatal population, meet ratio of MMH prescribers to perinatal population, have at least one inpatient MMH treatment program, have at least one outpatient intensive or partial hospitalization MMH program, have or have had a state-sanctioned MMH direct services to perinatal population, or have a perinatal quality collaborative (PQC) that has prioritized MMH. Providers and programs do meet the ratio for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) providing MMH direct services to perinatal population.

The Policy Center of Maternal Mental Health also shows, for Mississippi’s insurance coverage and treatment payment, that Mississippi does not have expanded Medicaid, does not require health plans to develop a MMH quality management program, does not require providers submit claims to private insurers for prenatal MMH treatment (among at least 10% of prenatal patients), and does not require providers to submit claims to private insurers for postpartum MMH treatment (among at least 10% of postnatal patients), but Mississippi does have expanded Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum. Medicaid does not require any of the screenings or screening reimbursements. (2011-2026, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health).

There has since been some improvement as Medicaid requires MCOs to report “postpartum depression screening” HEDIS measure and the maternity provider postpartum MMH screening claim submission rate meets threshold (private insurance), in 2026. (2026, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health).

The Mental Health Stats website states that there are only 2.5 providers for every 100,000 residents in Mississippi. Thus, said, 51% of Mississippians live in a county without any psychiatrists. (Mississippi Department of Mental Health, 1974-2026). There are two known specialized state programs, CHAMP for Moms and Postpartum RESET Boxes.

If anyone reading this article needs help, one may contact the Mississippi Department of Mental Health at 1-877-210-8513 or text the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988. You can also visit 988lifeline.org.

References

Health Stats, Mental. 2026. “Postpartum Depression Statistics in Mississippi.” Mental Health Stats. August 5, 2026. https://mhstats.org/mississippi/postpartum- depression/.

Mayo Clinic. 2022. “Postpartum Depression - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic. November 24, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum- depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617.

“Mississippi Department of Mental Health Recognizes Maternal Health Awareness Day – Mississippi Department of Mental Health.” 2026. Ms.Gov. 2026. https://www.dmh.ms.gov/mississippi-department-of-mental-health-recognizes- maternal-health-awareness-day/.

“State Report Cards - Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.” 2024. Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. June 27, 2024. https://policycentermmh.org/state-report- cards/#viewreportcard.