Because Mental Health Matters
First Breath’s Mental Health Expansion
Earlier this year, we shared exciting news about a three-year grant awarded to First Breath through the Wisconsin Partnership Program. This funding allows us to meaningfully expand the mental health support for the pregnant and postpartum individuals we serve. This post shares an updated version of that announcement and, over the coming years, will continue to share as the work unfolds.
Mental health and substance use are often connected. This grant gives First Breath the opportunity to support participants with services that address both together.
“This grant is not just about adding services; it is about deepening the care we are already committed to providing. By training our health educators and building stronger pathways to mental health providers, we are investing in our ability to show up more fully for every participant,” shared Tessa Vance, director of programs.
What This Grant Makes Possible
This funding allows First Breath to:
1️⃣ Pilot new mental health supports for participants. These include education, handouts, mental health-focused check-ins, mental health-related text messages and enhanced referral pathways to mental health providers.
The supports are designed to do three things:
- provide bridge support while participants wait to see a mental health provider
- offer education while they decide their next steps
- help them understand common perinatal mental health conditions.
2️⃣ Expand services and referrals for pregnant and postpartum substance users in Wisconsin. Many participants need mental health support, but are not currently connected to a provider. First Breath will build an enhanced referral pathway connecting participants to external mental health providers.
3️⃣ Provide specialized training for First Breath health educators. Health educators have been receiving training in perinatal mood disorders and co-occurring maternal mental health and substance use disorders, better equipping them to serve participants.
What’s Next
First Breath will pilot the mental health components with a small group of participants later this year. This pilot allows time and space to gather feedback and make adjustments. The program will then expand to all participants in 2027.
Tessa Vance shared the importance of this pilot, “We are piloting these mental health supports and components with a small group of participants first. It’s about starting small and listening, so we can incorporate participant feedback to make sure the mental health support we offer truly is meeting the needs of the individuals we serve.“
Stay tuned for more updates as this work moves forward.