Episcopal Health Services Expands Maternal Care, Strengthens Mental Health Support
Far Rockaway, New York, July 8, 2025 — As Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month draws attention to disparities in mental health care, Episcopal Health Services (EHS) is investing in equitable maternal health and mental wellness for families across the Rockaways, Five Towns, and surrounding communities.
Mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting 1 in 5 mothers in the United States each year, according to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA). In historically underserved communities, these conditions often go undiagnosed and untreated due to barriers such as limited access to culturally responsive care, lack of insurance, social stigma, and systemic inequities.
This summer, EHS will open its new state-of-the-art Labor and Delivery Suite, designed to support both physical and mental health needs during childbirth. The new suite is part of EHS’s broader mission to close gaps in maternal mental health services and provide safe, compassionate spaces where families can seek care without fear of stigma.

“Bringing a child into the world is both a physical and emotional journey,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS. “With our new Labor and Delivery Suite—and the comprehensive services surrounding it—we are delivering personalized, respectful care, rooted in the needs of our community.”
“Our expanded maternal services reflect EHS’s deep commitment to treating the whole person—not just physical symptoms but the emotional and mental aspects of motherhood,” said Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chairperson, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at EHS. “Too often, perinatal anxiety, depression, and trauma go untreated. We are changing that narrative by creating a safe, supportive space where women feel heard, respected, and empowered.”
Behavioral health is a key component of this initiative. EHS offers therapy, mental health screenings, and wellness partnerships to support women through the emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum care.
“Mental health is equally important as physical health,” said Tanya Barros, MA, LMHC, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at EHS. “Through our programs, we are removing stigma and making support accessible—for every woman, in every stage of her motherhood journey.”
The new Labor and Delivery Suite at EHS includes:
- Doula and lactation support for culturally aligned care
- Concierge-style perinatal navigation services
- Patient-centered design that promotes comfort and emotional well-being
- Universal postpartum screenings using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
EHS’s Behavioral Health Services include:
- Therapy and mental health treatment for new and expectant mothers
- Perinatal mental health screenings
- Partnerships with local organizations for yoga, wellness education, support groups, and parent coaching
- Seamless referrals to EHS’s Community Mental Health Center (CMHC)
To learn more about EHS’s maternal health services, call (718) 869-5815 or visit:
For information about behavioral health services, call (718) 869-8822 or visit:
About Episcopal Health Services
Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.