The city's First Lady, Chirlane McCray, is beginning to roll out her mental health plan for the five boroughs. And, as NY1's Grace Rauh reports, to kick off her first big policy undertaking she is focusing on the health of new mothers.

For many women, it can be a magical moment. A new baby is born. A new family created. But for one-in-ten women the months following the birth of a child can mean sliding into a deep depression.

"No woman wants to be a bad mother," McCray said. "But depression coupled with the stigma and fear of being labeled a bad mom can keep women from reaching out for the help they need."

For Paige Bellenbaum the birth of her son left her despondent. She says it got so bad that at one point she contemplated throwing her son and herself in front of an oncoming bus.

"And as the bus passed by in front of us I watched myself in the reflection and I saw this woman that I didn't know," Bellenbaum said. "But I knew she needed help."

Maternal depression is easy to screen for and is treatable, but health officials say it is not something every doctor addresses with their patients.

"All health care systems have just been not good and not focused on how we integrate mental health care," said Dr. Gary Belkin, of the city's Department of Health.

McCray says she wants to change that. As part of the mental health care overhaul she is preparing, she announced that the city is aiming to screen all pregnant women and new mothers for maternal depression, also known as postpartum.

She says city-run hospitals and Maimonides Medical Center have agreed to universal screening for maternal depression within two years. The hospital network and Maimonides deliver about one-quarter of all babies born in New York City.

Back in January, the first lady said she intended to come up with a mental health plan for the five boroughs. It's taken longer than expected. She said the entire initiative will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Officials say it won't cost anything to screen for maternal depression. It just requires a new mom to answer a series of questions.