The Family Mental Health Institute is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in Washington, D.C. It has led the way in developing and implementing programs that help women who suffer from perinatal depression.

The Washington Psychiatric Foundation, parent of the Family Mental Health Institute, has been involved in early mental illness intervention for women, community organization and public and professional education since its inception in 1989.

Since 2001, the Family Mental Health Institute has focused on four areas to reduce the incidence of maternal depression and mental health disparities in women:

* Screening programs for early PPD detection
* Professional Education and training
* Public education and awareness
* Peer support groups for women and their families

Currently, FMHI is working to make depression screening a universal standard of care for all new and expecting mothers in all 50 U.S. states. We are thrilled to report that, in cooperation with the National Naval Medical Center, our depression screening and treatment program has been seamlessly adopted throughout the United States Navy. Similarly, the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the inner city of Washington, DC have also adopted our program. Currently, federal legislation to support universal depression screening for all new moms is in progress, which will be a fantastic boost to our work. However, health care policy decisions rest with the individual states. One state, New Jersey, requires universal PPD screening under state law. Our goal is to establish this standard of care in all 50 states, beginning with 10 by the year 2010.

Please visit the programs and partnership sections of our website to learn more about our past and current work.