Maternal mental health disorders impact 20% of mothers in the United States during or after pregnancy, but most are not screened for these conditions and even fewer receive professional help. Closing this gap requires tight collaboration between researchers, policymakers, families and healthcare professionals.

Karen Tabb Dina, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a researcher at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, has been named to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health's board of directors. The Policy Center aims to improve access to standardized screening, diagnosis and treatment for maternal mental health disorders. Their strategies include creating content to communicate current issues, building communities for collaborative problem-solving and advocating for policies that support solutions.

Tabb Dina answered some questions about maternal mental health and her role with the Policy Center.

What will be your role as a Policy Center board member? What are some things you hope to achieve?
As a Policy Center board member, my role will be to serve the organization by strengthening connections between research and practice. I hope to support the timely translation of research findings to inform policy decisions, particularly at the national level.

Maternal and child health is a critical national priority, especially at a time when the United States is experiencing a decline in birth rates. As we move forward in encouraging family growth, we have an important opportunity to center mental health and brain development within national priorities by ensuring that high-quality research is translated into actionable policy guidance.

What are some issues in maternal mental health that you believe are especially important to focus on?
Chemical exposures and stress affecting both parents and children are especially important issues in maternal mental health. These factors have profound and lasting implications for parental well-being, child development and long-term population health, and they deserve sustained attention at the policy level.

Why are organizations like the Policy Center important?
Organizations like the Policy Center play a vital role as non-governmental and non-partisan advocacy groups. They provide essential, evidence-informed perspectives that contribute to improving national health outcomes and help bridge gaps between research, policy and practice. 

How have you worked with or collaborated with the Policy Center previously?
This will be my first time serving on the board. In the past, I have participated as a speaker on Policy Center panels. I have the highest respect for the organization’s advocacy work and its strong capacity to infuse rigorous research into its activities and policy engagement.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
I am honored by the opportunity to serve and look forward to contributing my expertise to advance the Policy Center’s mission. I value its commitment to research-driven advocacy and its leadership in shaping policies that support maternal, child and family well-being.