As a former Navy wife, I know the drill: frequent deployments where you’re saying goodbye to your spouse for months (or even years), endless moves, juggling kids far from family, and making impossible career sacrifices. Add to that the constant worry about your loved one’s safety, and it’s no wonder military families are stretched to the breaking point.
That’s why the inclusion of a new mental health program for military moms in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is such a big deal. For the first time, Congress is stepping up to help active-duty service members and their spouses navigate the emotional toll of pregnancy and postpartum life. The bipartisan Maintaining Our Obligation to Moms Who Serve Act (aka The MOMS Act) will bring much-needed maternal mental health resources into the military healthcare system. Translation: fewer moms struggling in silence.
Related: It’s time to talk about mental health for military spouses and children
Here’s what the new program delivers:
- Dedicated Maternal Mental Health Providers: Specialized mental health professionals trained in perinatal and postpartum care will now be available in the military healthcare system.
- Awareness Campaigns: Military families will get better information about recognizing mental health challenges and accessing available resources.
- Prevention Programs: These will focus on reducing the risk of conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety through early intervention.
- Expanded Treatment Options: Mothers will have access to counseling, therapy, and other mental health services tailored to their unique needs.
Here’s the reality: One in three military moms experiences maternal mental health challenges — double the rate of civilian moms. Whether it’s postpartum depression or anxiety, these struggles don’t just affect moms; they impact kids, marriages, and even our military readiness. As Representative Chrissy Houlahan, one of the act’s champions, said, “We can’t expect our men and women in uniform to defend our country if we’re not providing them with the care they need.”
The new program is a win for moms, a win for families, and a long-overdue acknowledgment of the unique challenges military life brings. To all the moms juggling life on the home front while supporting someone in uniform: This one’s for you.
Related: I’m a military wife and my husband works long hours away from home—here’s how we manage
