EMPATHS program – Help always there for maternal mental health

Rachel Schwartz is the Senior Director of Maternal and Child Health at Public Health Solutions (PHS). Ashley Powell is a social worker for its EMPATHS program, a maternal mental health research network that addresses the needs of pregnant and postpartum parents. They spoke with the Amsterdam News about their EMPATHS program and work to improve public health in New York City.

- By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA Special to the AmNews

AmNews: Please tell us about the EMPATHS program.

Schwartz: EMPATHS is actually a loose acronym for enhanced perinatal mental health spectrum of support. It is the important part because we know that not every individual needs or wants to be connected to a licensed psychotherapist. Some people are seeking community. I think the example I give a lot of the time is new parents who have recently arrived to the country. We work with hundreds, if not thousands, of recent arrivals in this country or people who've moved from other boroughs.