Paper Title
Empowering Mothers: A Conceptual Model for Promoting Perinatal Mental Wellness

Abstract
This study explores perinatal mental wellness within the context of the healthcare system in the United States, and focuses on defining mental wellness during the perinatal period and identifying supportive strategies. Despite high perinatal healthcare spending, the United States ranks poorly among other countries globally regarding perinatal mental health. The study uncovers factors impacting wellness, including support structures, systemic barriers, and proposes strategies to integrate mental healthcare more effectively within perinatal healthcare services. The data analysis indicated four categories including perinatal mental wellness; factors supporting perinatal mental wellness; factors undermining perinatal mental wellness; and systemic change. Additionally, the data analysis clarified the meaning of perinatal mental wellness. The final model that emerged from the data suggests that the systemic change themes could be used as strategies implemented within the existing perinatal care model in order to promote perinatal mental wellness among mothers in the United States. Keywords - Perinatal Mental Wellness; Pregnancy; Birth; Maternal Mental Health; Perinatal Mental Health