ARLINGTON, Va. — In a significant move to address the often-overlooked mental health crisis facing parents of premature infants, the March of Dimes and Elevance Health Foundation have announced a new $879,000 grant expansion today. This breaking March of Dimes news 2026 marks a pivotal shift in neonatal care, integrating critical psychological support directly into hospital NICU environments. By leveraging the Mammha digital health platform, the initiative aims to provide seamless postpartum depression screening and care coordination for families in six key states.
Expanding Critical NICU Mental Health Support
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a place of medical miracles, but it is also a source of profound trauma for many parents. Recognizing this, the new three-year grant will fund the integration of mental health services into the existing NICU Family Support® program. The initiative is set to launch across select hospitals in California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, and Virginia.
"Too many families enter the NICU facing not only medical uncertainty, but emotional and psychological strain," stated Kelly Ernst, Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at March of Dimes. This program addresses that reality by ensuring that NICU mental health support is not an afterthought but a core component of the care model. The funding enables the use of advanced digital tools to identify parents struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma early in their journey.
Innovative Screening with the Mammha Platform
Central to this initiative is the deployment of Mammha, a pioneering digital behavioral health solution. Unlike traditional paper-based screenings that often fall through the cracks, the Mammha digital health platform offers a streamlined, tech-forward approach to detecting maternal mental health conditions.
The platform facilitates timely postpartum depression screening and connects at-risk parents immediately with care coordinators. These coordinators play a vital role, acting as a bridge between families and mental health professionals. The support system is designed to extend well beyond the hospital stay, offering continued monitoring and resources for up to one year postpartum. This long-term approach helps mitigate the lasting effects of neonatal intensive care unit anxiety.
Closing the Gap in Maternal Mental Health Services
The need for such services is acute. Research consistently shows that parents of NICU infants are at a significantly higher risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders compared to the general population. By formalizing maternal mental health services within the NICU setting, this program removes the logistical barriers that often prevent new mothers from seeking help.
A Legacy of Support: Elevance Health Foundation Grant
This latest announcement builds upon a robust, decade-long partnership. Since 2010, the Elevance Health Foundation has contributed more than $11 million to the March of Dimes, underscoring a deep commitment to improving health equity for moms and babies. The new Elevance Health Foundation grant specifically targets the intersection of infant health and parental well-being, acknowledging that the health of the baby is inextricably checking linked to the mental health of the parent.
"We're grateful to Elevance Health Foundation for recognizing that supporting families means caring for both their hearts and their health," Ernst added. This holistic approach is expected to serve as a model for other healthcare systems nationwide, potentially reshaping how hospitals support families during the critical first year of life.
Looking Ahead: The Future of NICU Care
As the program rolls out across the designated six states, stakeholders will be watching closely. The data gathered from this initiative could pave the way for a national standard in NICU-based mental health care. By prioritizing the emotional resilience of parents, the March of Dimes and Elevance Health Foundation are not just treating patients—they are healing families.
