Depression affects millions of Americans each year and bears significant societal and financial costs. However, it is estimated that only 25 percent of individuals with depression receive appropriate care. Given that women are almost twice as likely as men to experience depression, and that the majority of women age 15 to 50 have children, maternal depression is an important and potentially costly issue. RAND examined evidence on the impact of maternal depression on the mother and child as it relates to the public sector systems that serve them; specifically, public assistance, physical health, early intervention, education, and child welfare.