Advocating for Perinatal Mental Health & Wellness for All California Families
Parents and families urgently need perinatal mental health support.
Perinatal mental health conditions—like depression, anxiety, and psychosis—are the most common complications of pregnancy and the leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. In California, 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experience these challenges, yet only 15% receive treatment, despite the proven benefits of early intervention.
The consequences ripple outwards: poorer birth outcomes, developmental delays, intergenerational impacts, and $2.4 billion in annual costs to the state. Black, immigrant, low- income, and Medi-Cal families—those least likely to access culturally responsive care—are hit hardest. Despite prior policy wins, California’s system remains fragmented, underfunded, and siloed.
From stories, we build systemic change.
The California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA) was born out of From Pain to Power, a 2024 convening in South Los Angeles that brought together 200 survivors, providers, and policymakers. It was a transformative experience of breaking stigma, building solidarity, and inspiring a shared commitment to systemic change.
From that moment, CPWA has grown into a survivor- and community-led coalition weaving connections across communities, providers, institutions, and policymakers to ensure no parent falls through the cracks.
We weave together interconnected strategies for powerful change.
Policy & Systems Change
Advancing reforms to strengthen screening, treatment, follow-up care, insurance accountability, and workforce development
Convenings & Movement Building
Creating spaces like From Pain to Power in L.A., Sacramento, and our upcoming Pain to Power 2.0 convening, where stories and cross-sector collaboration fuel changes in policy and practice
Storytelling & Narrative Shift
Uplifting lived experience through our statewide Breaking the Silence Storybook, The Imperfect Mothers Club film, and survivor testimony to move policymakers and the public
We are building momentum in L.A., across California, and beyond.
Pain to Power
200 attendees and 16 partners helped launch a growing movement for storytelling, healing, and systems change in California
CA Advocacy Day
40+ advocates and survivors led 50+ legislative visits to advance SB 626 and strengthen momentum for perinatal mental health reform statewide
Coalition-Building
20+ partners and 700+ advocates are helping shape a stronger, more coordinated movement for perinatal mental health across California
Survivor Storytelling
30+ stories published — alongside new toolkits, gatherings, and campaigns — are helping break stigma and grow support for change
Take Action.
Together, we can transform California’s approach to perinatal mental health—from fragmented and reactive to integrated, equitable, and healing-centered.
Individuals: Share your story, volunteer, or join our newsletter
Organizations: Join our alliance or co-sponsor events
Funders & Donors: Support storytelling, advocacy, survivor wellness, and alliance infrastructure
Policymakers: Champion legislation and invest in systemic solutions
