Empty Arms Vermont provides free, statewide, peer support for families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. About 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, yet historically, perinatal loss has been a hidden or disenfranchised grief, and thus not adequately supported by the community. Parents facing perinatal loss are at much greater risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders compared to non-bereaved parents. Empty Arms Vermont is the only statewide organization that provides peer support for any family in Vermont facing pregnancy or infant loss

The Alliance supports the Empty Arms effort to secure $40,000 for two years ($80,000 total) in state funding in order to develop a long-term, sustainable plan to strengthen internal capacity and scale up programs.

Lead Organization: Empty Arms Vermont

Data and Talking Points

• Bereaved birthing parents have four times greater odds of major depression and seven times greater odds of post-traumatic stress disorder than non-bereaved birthing parents. 
• Untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders account for an estimated $48 million in societal costs in Vermont. The state, insurers, and families bear this cost. Supporting comprehensive support services for perinatal loss ultimately decreases the incurred costs for untreated mental illness.
• Social support plays a role in buffering the effects of trauma and in mediating stress after bereavement.
• An intervention that allows mothers to express their emotions and retell their stories helps to decrease depression, self-blame, and trauma.