Maternal Mental Health in the USA (original) (raw)

Maternal mental health: program and policy implications

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2009

Despite increasing evidence of the seriousness of maternal depression, the number of individuals affected, and the impact of maternal depression on infant growth and development, maternal mental health has not become a component of the primary health care system in many parts of the world. The impact appears to be greatest in South Asia, possibly among low-income families. Some interventions, such as increases in social support or the education of mothers about responsive caregiving, appear to be effective in reducing maternal distress. However, we do not yet have recognized, effective, and scalable strategies to treat maternal depression or reduce the more common maternal distress. Efforts are needed to increase the availability of programs for maternal mental health and to develop simple interventions to reduce maternal distress that can be used by primary health care providers. Second, efforts are needed to develop policies that include maternal mental health. These efforts should build on research and on international conventions and statements, such as the recent United Nations Fund for Population Activities/World Health Organization recommendation for a comprehensive approach to preventing and treating maternal depression.

Understanding Maternal Mental Health -An Unexplored Area

International Journal of Engineering, Technology, Science and Research, 2017

Perinatal period is one of the most crucial period in the field of Family Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences. During this period, women undergo changes which affects their biological and psychological functioning, the spouses have an increased responsibility affecting their social and psychological functioning. These cumulative changes may affect the entire family, thereby having an affect on the biological and psychosocial etiology which may affect the whole family. Psychosocial aspects may trigger the illness and act as risk and maintaining factors. Social workers need to intervene in this context for optimal functioning of women with perinatal mental health issues and her family. A biopsychosocial framework may be adopted for social work assessment and intervention. Individual, familial, group, and community level intervention is required to address this complex issue, along with other mental health clinicians.

Maternal Mental Health: State of the State Report in California and Beyond, a Follow-up Report

The report contained a detailed overview of maternal mental health, and a state strategic plan, as well as specific recommendations for state and national stakeholder groups. This report provides an update on the implementation of the strategic plan as well as other efforts which have occurred in the state or nation to advance maternal mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment. THIS REPORT IS DESIGNED TO BE READ ELECTRONICALLY WITH HYPERLINKS TO REFERENCES Background on the California Task Force on Maternal Mental Health At the urging of the California Legislature through Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 148 , the California Task Force on Maternal Mental Health Care was formed to study maternal mental healthcare for pregnant and postpartum women experiencing depression, anxiety, and other maternal mental health (MMH) disorders in the state. The Task Force was established to evaluate: (1) barriers to screening and diagnosis; (2) access to treatment for mothers with private vs. public health insurance; and (3) evidence-based and emerging treatment models that are scalable.

A Model for Maternal Depression

Journal of Women's Health, 2010

With the awareness of maternal depression as a prevalent public health issue and its important link to child physical and mental health, attention has turned to how healthcare providers can respond effectively. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are strongly related to depression, particularly for low-income women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends psychosocial screening of pregnant women at least once per trimester, yet screening is uncommonly done. Research suggests that a collaborative care approach improves identification, outcomes, and costeffectiveness of care. This article presents The Perinatal Mental Health Model, a community-based model that developed screening and referral partnerships for use in community obstetric settings in order to specifically address the psychosocial needs of culturally diverse, low-income mothers.

Addressing perinatal depression in a group of underserved urban women: a focus group study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2014

Background: Perinatal mental health problems are common complications of pregnancy that can go undetected and untreated. Research indicated that mental health complications are more prevalent in women from disadvantaged communities, yet women from these communities often experience barriers to accessing treatments and interventions. Untreated depression during pregnancy can lead to poor self-care, increased substance abuse, poor obstetrical outcomes, developmental delay in children, and increased risk of postpartum depression. In this study we investigated the perceived perinatal mental health needs of our participants and they wanted to address their perceived needs. Methods: In this qualitative study, we invited women who resided in an underserved, urban community who were pregnant or who delivered within the past year to participate in focus groups. Results: Thirty-seven women participated in seven focus groups. Thirteen themes emerged which were described in relation to mental health needs, help currently accessed and the type of support wanted. The themes included the various mental health needs including dealing with changing moods, depression, feelings of isolation, worrying and a sense of being burdened. Women described using a limited range of supports and help. Participants expressed a preference for mental health support that was empowerment focused in its orientation, including peer support. Women also described the compounding effect that social and economic stresses had on their mental health. Conclusions: Participants wanted access to a greater range of supports for mental health than were currently available to them, including peer support, and wanted assistance in addressing social and economic needs. These findings offer a challenge to further broaden the types of services offered to women, and demonstrate that those services need to be responsive to the challenging contexts of women's lives. Integrating women's views and experiences into the development of services may help to overcome barriers to care.

The Influence of Health Care from Health Professionals on Maternal Mental Health

Universal Journal of Public Health, 2022

As maternal mental health is related to postpartum depression; it is essential to reduce anxiety in pregnant women. However, little information is available on the health care effect provided by health professionals on maternal mental health. This study aimed to investigate the health care provided by health professionals during check-ups and its influence on maternal mental health in Japan. This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were 105 first-time mothers with a gestational age of 20 to 27 weeks. Data on participants’ demographics, healthcare services received, participants’ understanding of health care were collected, and mental health was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form JYZ, and Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Results reveal that women who understood their physical condition and fetal conditions were less likely to experience state anxiety than those who did not (p<.01 and p<.05, respectively). An understanding of fetal condition and growth were also associated with a significantly increased fetal attachment (p<.01 and p<.001, respectively). The understanding of “better lifestyle” in the midwife-led care group was significantly higher than that in the group that did not receive midwife-led care (p<.01). Understanding health care might be necessary for promoting fetal attachment and reducing anxiety during pregnancy. Therefore, health professionals must sufficiently explain relevant conditions to pregnant women.

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Infant Health Practices Among Low-Income Women

Pediatrics, 2004

Objectives. To determine the relationships between maternal depressive symptoms and the use of infant health services, parenting practices, and injury-prevention measures.Methods. A prospective, community-based survey of women attending Philadelphia public health centers between February 2000 and November 2001 was conducted. Women were surveyed at 3 time points before and after parturition. Depressive symptoms were determined with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale at each time point. We studied 6 outcomes, clustered into 3 categories: 1) infant health service use (adequate well-child care and ever being hospitalized); 2) parenting practices (breastfeeding for ≥1 month and use of corporal punishment); and 3) injury-prevention measures (having a smoke alarm and using the back sleep position).Results. The sample consisted of 774 largely single (74%), uninsured (63%), African American (65%) women, with a mean age of 24 ± 6 years and a mean annual income of $8063. For...

Maternal mental health: Making a difference

Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work

This research project explores what makes a difference in women’s recovery from postpartum distress. As postpartum distress can interfere in the establishment of secure attachment the need for early intervention is vital. This project, based on principles of feminist research, used questionnaires and interviews to canvas women who had accessed the mainstream maternal mental health service of Taranaki District Health Board. The women in this study felt they had benefited from individual and group work alongside medication, but crucial to their recovery was also informal support from family and friends and self care. While evidence-based practice is a dominant discourse in health at present, what these women told us was that kind, non judgemental support helped them recover. When women didn’t have this kind of support from their families, friends or professionals the recovery process was impeded.