Needs & Impact
The Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line, launched in June 2023 and funded by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, is the only resource of its kind in the state. The need in this state is great, as the rural, medically underserved areas are vast.
Needs
1:5
Women in the U.S. suffer from maternal mental health complications
15,000
Women per year in AZ suffer from Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
80%
Of women with PMADs are not diagnosed or treated
#1
PMADs are the #1 complication of pregnancy and childbirth
$399M
AZ spends annually on increased health care costs and lost productivity
98%
of mental health and substance use disorders are preventable
AZ
has a mental health care shortage
APAL's Impact
APAL offers free trainings, consultations and resources.
We have served over 50% of AZ’s counties.
APAL has worked with midwives, RNS, MD/DOs, NPs, PAs, and doulas to guide psychiatric care.
Half of APAL's consultations support patients with AHCCCS or who are uninsured.
APAL has completed over 40 free trainings.
APAL's consultation services cost less than 60 cents per woman aged 15-44 per year.
We have 100% satisfaction with the providers we consult with.
APAL is collecting data on trends of perinatal mental illness in the state in order to inform state and federal healthcare systems on best models of care delivery. The lack of data on maternal mental health is shocking and shameful and we are working to shift that paradigm.