4th Trimester Arizona: Supporting Mental Health for Moms
Welcoming a baby is one of life’s most joyful moments—but it can also be one of the hardest. Many moms quietly struggle, often feeling isolated at a time when they most need connection.
That’s why 4th Trimester Arizona was created: to build a village of support for moms.
Creating a village
“I sat around a kitchen table with my friends and their children, and we talked about how alone we felt after our babies were born,” explained Dr. Jennie Bever, President & CEO of 4th Trimester Arizona. “We needed support and the understanding that mental health challenges are very common during this stage of life.”
About 1 in 5 moms in the U.S. face anxiety or depression either during or after pregnancy. In our state, the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths is mental health conditions, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
“There is this dichotomy where moms feel like they need to be happy all the time, even though postpartum is one of the most challenging times of your life,” said Dr. Bever. “A lot of moms feel ashamed, and they don’t want to reach out for help.”
4th Trimester Arizona provides monthly support villages to give moms a safe space to connect.
“A lot of my friends don’t have kids, so I was really seeking community,” shared Kristen, a mom who is a part of the 4th Trimester community. “Connecting with other moms going through the same thing has impacted my mental health in such a beneficial way. I met one of my best friends here.”
To find a virtual or in-person meet-up near you, visit: Parent - 4th Trimester Arizona.
“We’re providing the support and resources that I could have used when I was postpartum,” said Bever.
Funding Support for Moms
The AZ Blue Foundation awarded 4th Trimester Arizona with its $100,000 Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant. The grant backs bold ideas that improve mental health in the state, and this year, moms are the focus. The Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant (Momentum Maker) was established in 2023 thanks to a generous gift from the Thiru Family Trust.
“Healthy moms are a bedrock for the community,” said Thiru Thangarathinam. “When moms go through mental health challenges, it ripples out to their families, caregivers, and the community.”
The Momentum Maker grant will help 30 community-based doulas become credentialed with our state Medicaid program. Each doula will also receive training in mental health and perinatal navigation to recognize signs of anxiety or depression and connect families to care.
“At the core of families are moms and dads who need to feel seen, heard, and more importantly, supported,” said Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs, President of the AZ Blue Foundation. “When families are supported and strong, then we have vibrant communities.”
“We used to raise babies in villages–moms, aunts, and neighbors would come over to hold the baby and give mom rest,” shared Dr. Alina Boelman, Board Chair of 4th Trimester Arizona. “And that’s where the doulas will come in. They’ll help with feedings, care for the baby, and provide mental health screenings for moms. They’ll be the village for these families.”
Doulas also help close the gap Arizona faces in mental health care for moms – especially in underserved communities.
“This grant will take care of people who have been historically marginalized, including people of color, Latino, and Indigenous communities,” said Sunnee O’Rork, Board Treasurer of 4th Trimester Arizona. “The grant wraps around the doulas who are on the front lines and will provide that needed service.”
It's estimated that these doulas will serve more than 1,800 moms in the next 5 years.