Intensive Perinatal Mental Health Programs in the United States: A Call to Action

Psychiatr Serv. 2022 Aug 1;73(8):930-932. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100384. Epub 2022 Jan 26.

Abstract

Despite the growth of intensive perinatal mental health programs in the United States, too few programs serve women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Furthermore, little is known about program operations, services, the women served, and the methods of collecting outcome data. With this Open Forum, the authors aimed to share their investigation of intensive perinatal mental health programs in the United States and offer recommendations to improve services for women with PMADs. The authors recommend forming a national consortium that can foster collaboration to expand existing services and establish a national database to inform program development, evaluation, policies, and funding.

Keywords: Pregnancy and mental illness; Research/service delivery.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mental Health Services*
  • Mental Health*
  • Mood Disorders
  • Pregnancy
  • United States