About the Report
Too many caregivers are falling through the cracks.
Every year, millions of parents experience Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), but too few get the support they need. These aren’t rare cases. PMADs are among the most common complications of childbirth, yet our systems are failing to recognize and respond.
We launched this study because maternal mental health is still not treated like the crisis it is. It’s underfunded, under-researched, and too often dismissed. At Nested, we set out to change that with a national survey of over 1,000 caregivers and in-depth interviews that capture what parents are really going through.
The goal? To expose the cracks in how we screen, support, and care for families, and to turn that insight into action. Because when we listen to parents, the message is clear: the current system isn’t working. We can do better. And we must.
The data speaks for itself.
4 out of 5 caregivers didn’t feel like they could talk to their partners about their mental health.
98%
of non-birthing caregivers were never screened for their mental health, despite many reporting symptoms.
Nearly half of caregivers who were screened felt they couldn’t answer survey questions honestly.
88%
of caregivers who experienced PMADs and ultimately left their jobs wished they had access to longer paid leave.
Families with more than 12 weeks of paid leave were 80% less likely to leave their jobs.
Around 1 in 4 birthing caregivers were never screened for their perinatal mental health.
40% of birthing caregivers were screened more than once.
74%
Parents whose babies required NICU care were 74% more likely to experience a PMAD.
Dig deeper into the data with each case study
Study Methodology
This national study combined a large-scale survey of over 1,000 caregivers with in-depth interviews that captured the lived experiences behind the data. Our mixed-methods design ensured both breadth and depth: quantitative analyses identified patterns and risk factors, while qualitative interviews provided a fuller picture of the challenges families face. Conducted by Nested in partnership with New York University, the study reflects rigorous research standards and the voices of parents across the United States.