Description: To address this gap, the Lifeline for Moms Individuals with Lived Expertise Advisory Council, an 18-member collective of individuals with lived expertise in perinatal challenges, created two “journey maps” to amplify the voices of individuals with lived experience in shaping perinatal mental healthcare research. These journey maps are graphic illustrations reflecting the Advisory Council’s responses to two key questions: What research topics should be prioritized to advance perinatal mental health research? and what factors facilitate or hinder perinatal mental health research participation? A designer illustrated the discussion in real time, creating two journey maps that were reviewed and refined by Council members. The finalized maps were then presented to the Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative, a national council composed of representatives from professional societies, federal agencies, and foundations. Based on this exchange, a third journey map was developed to reflect the Collaborative’s response to the Council’s work.

Lessons Learned: Several compelling conversations and critical themes were captured in the journey maps. The first journey map on research topics highlighted the need to prioritize risk factor identification, prevention, and provider training. The second journey map on factors outlined barriers to research participation, including trust-building, bias, and competing demands. Finally, the Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative’s journey map illustrates how the journey maps from the Council “sparked” a commitment to take action.

Recommendations/Implications: The Journey Maps have since informed multiple research initiatives, including the Pathways Project, which examines how provider training and integration of peer support can improve perinatal mental health outcomes. Journey mapping is a valuable tool that can improve efforts in amplifying underrepresented voices in research partnerships.