Our Mission
The Heard Foundation exists to reimagine perinatal mental-health care so no parent faces illness in silence and no family navigates this journey alone. We work to break stigma, expand access to compassionate care, and build a lasting culture of support for families affected by Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
Our Vision
We are working to establish Massachusetts’ first dedicated postpartum treatment center, developed in partnership with leading medical experts. Designed as a home for healing, this center will provide parents facing perinatal mental illness with dignified, compassionate, and evidence-based care—while supporting connection, recovery, and community and care that is human, accessible, and rooted in compassion.
Why This Vision Matters
Behind every statistic is a family searching for hope and support.
Perinatal mental-health disorders are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting as many as 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers. Yet the majority of those impacted do not receive appropriate treatment, and suicide remains one of the leading causes of maternal death in the first year postpartum.
Despite this urgent need, screening remains inconsistent, access to care is limited, and Massachusetts still lacks a dedicated inpatient mother–baby psychiatric treatment center. Families are often left navigating complex systems at the moment they are most vulnerable
This vision exists to change that.
What We Envision
In partnership with clinical leaders and community stakeholders, we envision a postpartum treatment center that:
Provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to PMADs
Supports parent–baby bonding as part of the healing process
Coordinates with outpatient providers for continuity of care
Feels warm, welcoming, and affirming—never clinical or isolating
This is not just a facility, but a new standard for perinatal mental-health care.
Our Role
The Heard Foundation serves as the catalyst for this vision by:
Raising awareness and reducing stigma around PMADs
Mobilizing resources through fundraising and partnerships
Collaborating with medical experts to bring this center to life
Advocating for equitable access to care for all families.
Beyond bricks and mortar, we are building a culture of care—one that supports parents before, during, and after moments of crisis.
Powered by Community
This work is made possible through the collective efforts of families, donors, partners, and advocates. From grassroots acts of kindness to large-scale initiatives and signature events, our community fuels progress and keeps this vision moving forward.
Together, we are shaping a future where parents are heard, families are supported, and care is available when it is needed most.
Grounded in love, memory, and the belief that care should be both human and accessible, our vision looks toward a more compassionate future for families.
