Roundtable 2 of 2: Maternal Mental Health Support Programs and Solutions to Overcome Stigma

With over 25 years of experience working with marginalized communities and families, Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C has held senior leadership roles at organizations committed to improving social determinants of health including The Partnership for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity, Settlement Housing Fund, and The Motherhood Center of New York.

After struggling with severe postpartum depression and anxiety following her son’s birth, Paige became a passionate advocate for maternal mental health, using her own lived experience as a tool for change. She drafted legislation championed by New York State Senator Liz Krueger, urging New York birthing hospitals to educate and screen for PMADs—a bill signed into law in 2014.

In 2015, Paige joined forces with a nationally recognized Reproductive Psychiatrist and opened The Motherhood Center. This clinical treatment facility is the first and only New York State Office of Mental Health Article-31 Perinatal Partial Hospital Program (Day Program) for mothers and birthing people experiencing moderate to severe perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The Motherhood Center also provides perinatal outpatient treatment including therapy and medication management, support groups, and maternal mental health training and education.

As Founding Director and Chief External Relations Officer, Paige has overseen multiple departments including Human Resources, admissions, marketing, education, external partnerships, and provider relations, all while facilitating clinical support groups and providing psychotherapy to perinatal patients in the outpatient program and Day Program. Paige recently stepped down from her original role at The Motherhood Center and continues to serve the organization as the Education and Government Relations Consultant. In her current role, Paige works with government agencies, hospitals, nonprofits, and academic institutions to incorporate PMAD best practices, training, and education into operational frameworks. This work includes the NYC Department of Health and Mental Health, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, and the New York State Office of Mental Health Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advisory Council.

Additionally, she is an Advanced Perinatal Psychotherapy Trainer and faculty member with Postpartum Support International, and an Adjunct Professor at Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College. Paige is recognized as a perinatal mental health subject matter expert and has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NPR, PBS NewsHour, and in Fortune, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.