Seleni is expanding care, training providers, and building partnerships to advance maternal mental health—plus spring highlights and resources.
Dear friend,
This spring, global and national leaders are sounding the alarm on maternal mental health, and at Seleni, we’re answering the call.
The World Health Organization launched a yearlong global initiative to improve maternal and newborn health, calling for bold action to prevent maternal deaths and prioritize women’s long-term wellbeing. At the same time, new national data continue to expose unacceptable gaps in care, especially as mental health conditions remain leading causes of maternal mortality in the U.S.
At Seleni, we’re meeting this moment with renewed resolve. From expanding access to specialized therapy to advancing workforce training on perinatal and reproductive mental health, we are proud to support individuals, clinicians, and institutions working toward real change.
In this month’s newsletter, we share recent highlights from March and April, key partnerships, and new resources driving our mission forward. Thank you for being part of this essential work.
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) 2025 Annual Conference
Team Seleni had a great time at AMCHP 2025 in Washington, DC! This year’s theme, Partnering with Impact, emphasized collaboration to improve maternal and child health.
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) affect 1 in 5 new moms, yet they often go undetected. Ready to strengthen your response to PMADs?
Jones Foundation Infertility Counseling Conference
Philadelphia, April2–4. Erica Mindes, PhD co-presented a breakout session titled “To Transfer or Not to Transfer: Providing Decisional Support for Patients with Mosaic Embryos,” offering vital guidance on a complex reproductive health decision.
Perinatal Mental Health Summit 2025
Brooklyn College, April 4. Christiane Manzella, PhD participated in the panel “Communities of Care to Foster Maternal Mental Health Throughout the Perinatal Period,” moderated by Seleni Advisory Board Member Dr. Ashanda Saint Jean, to explore collaborative strategies for supporting families during the perinatal journey.
Bringing Mental Health to the Global Stage
Executive Director Seema Bajaj recently joined Libra Philanthropies on a delegation to Tokyo, Japan, as part of a cross-cultural exchange centered on global impact, education, and mental health. Seleni was proud to contribute its expertise through a Mental Health Workshop with students at Kidsdoor.
Highlighting Perinatal Loss and Grief Training for National Infertility Awareness Week® (April 20–26, 2025)
In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week®, we’re spotlighting Seleni’s Perinatal Loss and Grief training, an essential course for providers supporting individuals and families through miscarriage, stillbirth, infertility, and reproductive trauma.
"Seleni’s Perinatal Loss and Grief training was incredibly impactful. The use of real-world examples and family experiences made the content deeply engaging and relevant—far beyond the theory-heavy approach of many other courses."
- Elis Karina Ceballos
Psychosocial Director & Psychologist, Fundación Amigos del Niño con Leucemia y Cáncer (FANLYC)
Thank you to the 500+ professionals who joined us on March 26—this session was fully packed with a waitlist!
✨ 98% said the training enhanced their professional expertise
✨ 99% would recommend it to others
✨ 79% of attendees were social workers, a testament to the field’s dedication to advancing perinatal mental healthcare
A special thank you to Adelphi University School of Social Work for co-hosting and to the Kenworthy-Swift Foundation for making this webinar possible. We’re proud to support the maternal mental health workforce with evidence-based, accessible training. Stay tuned for future opportunities to learn with us!
Highlighting Perinatal Loss and Grief Training for National Infertility Awareness Week® (April 20–26, 2025)
In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week®, we’re spotlighting Seleni’s Perinatal Loss and Grief training, an essential course for providers supporting individuals and families through miscarriage, stillbirth, infertility, and reproductive trauma.
Global Health Leaders Call for Action on Maternal Wellbeing
The World Health Organization launched a yearlong initiative on April 7 to improve maternal and newborn health, urging countries to reduce mortality and prioritize women’s long-term mental and physical well-being—an area where psychiatric clinicians play a critical role. More about the campaign →
Mental Health Now Leading Cause of Maternal Death in the U.S.
The Century Foundation’s State of Maternal Health 2025 report reveals that, despite increased investment, the U.S. still has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries. Mental health conditions—particularly suicide and overdose—are now the top causes of maternal death. Get the report →
ACOG Releases New Tools to Strengthen Perinatal Mental Healthcare
ACOG has launched a comprehensive initiative featuring evidence-based guidelines and support tools to help OB professionals deliver more integrated, high-quality perinatal mental health care. Access it here →
Thank You for Being Part of Our Community
We hope these updates and resources support your journey toward mental wellness. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and at Seleni, we are here to support you every step of the way. 💙
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Seleni Institute, 122 E 64th St, 1R, New York, NY 10065
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