LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A huge grant will soon address an ongoing issue here in Arkansas.
Arkansas ranks among the worst in the entire country for maternal mortality, but local groups and grant funding are helping find solutions.
"I think everyone knows that during pregnancy and having a new baby, it can really increase depression and anxiety," said UAMS Associate Professor Jessica Coker.
That's why UAMS is focusing not only on physical health for mothers, but also mental health too.
Now the Arkansas Attorney General's Office is chipping in as well with a $600,000 grant.
"We are going to be using it to train more psychiatrists in reproductive psychiatry, which focuses on psychiatric disorders during pregnancy in the postpartum period," Coker said. "Specifically looking at depression, anxiety and opiate use disorder and drug use disorders."
According to UAMS, the state currently has only three psychiatrists specializing in women's health, but Coker said this funding will bring positive change.
"We're going to be able to train for the next few years," Coker said. "So right now, we're training one person a year because it's a lot of effort, a lot of time. But, we do hope to expand to be able to train two per year in the future."
While UAMS trains more psychiatrists, they're also working with outside organizations to train more doulas.
An increase in doulas is something that a recent UAMS study found that the state needs.
Arkansas has fewer than 50 trained doulas and is one of just nine states in the U.S. that doesn't offer doula certification.
"We do need more doulas in the state considering our really low disparities, and we haven't really had a nurse midwifery program in a very long time in the state of Arkansas," said UAMS Northwest Nursing Associate Professor Britni Ayers.
Ayers said it won't be long until that changes however, and she believes that it should help.
"In 2026, the College of Nursing will be implementing a nurse midwifery program, which is wonderful for the state," said Ayers.
In the meantime, UAMS is partnering with Ujima Maternity Network to train more doulas and Executive Director Nicolle Fletcher hopes to make a big impact.
"Our goal in 2025 is to train 60 doulas throughout the state of Arkansas," Fletcher said. "We need just more community based, grassroots type of support to provide education, emotional support through the journey."
Through the partnership with UAMS and grant funding, Ujima is able to cover the cost for any women interested in the doula training.
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