Many states are struggling to manage their budgets, especially with increased expenses from the Affordable Care Act and being required to offer health insurance coverage to a growing number of people. Recently, the National Alliance on Mental Illness raised concerns over mental health care cuts.

According to a study released by the Urban Institute, more than 50 percent of babies born into poverty have a mother suffering from depression. Of those, more than 70 percent fail to get appropriate treatment.

"During a time of national economic distress and severe budget cuts in mental health services, the Urban Institute study raises concern about the urgency of the needs of women and children," said NAMI executive director Michael Fitzpatrick.

Obtaining mental health services is crucial not just so a mother feels better, but for her children's benefit as well. A report from the Connecticut Commission on Children cites results from the CalWORKS Project as finding children under the age of six are at an increased risk of being homeless and ending up in foster care if their parents were poor and had depression.