Improving access to perinatal mental health services: the value of on-site resources

Abstract

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Implementation of trauma-informed care strategies in a comprehensive maternal–fetal care center.

“…Given the elevated risk of traumatic stress among expectant parents carrying fetuses with confirmed anomalies, incorporating strategies to mitigate psychological risk in the maternal–fetal care center is essential. A collaborative effort between medical, surgical, neonatal, and nursing teams with dedicated psychosocial support specialists allows for complete care and helps to eliminate barriers within current care models (Rodriguez et al, 2021). These collaborative partnerships aim to reduce the negative effects of traumatic stress and other perinatal mental health concerns as early into prenatal care as possible.…”

“…The perinatal psychologist meets with expectant parents who demonstrate an elevated mental health screener, self-refer, or who are referred by the medical provider, FTC, genetic counselor, or social worker. Psychologists, specifically trained in perinatal mental health, can implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions to reduce mood and anxiety symptoms prior to birth, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and emotionally focused therapy with couples (Lomonaco-Haycraft et al, 2018; Rodriguez et al, 2021). Exposure and desensitization interventions are implemented with the goal of reducing the traumatic risk associated with medical procedures (e.g., fetal surgery, epidural anesthesia), labor, and cesarean birth (Kondas & Scetnicka, 1972).…”

Challenges in Using Progestin to Prevent Singleton Preterm Births: Current Knowledge and Clinical Advice

“…Importantly, integrating mental health services into routine prenatal care by co-locating mental health counselors and obstetrics providers at the same clinics can significantly increase utilization of these resources. 71 Targeting maternal mental health by incorporating regular screenings into routine peripartum care, increasing accessibility to behavioral health services, and raising community awareness may help reverse the rising preterm birth rate.…”

Addressing caregiver mental health in the neonatal ICU

“…Axelin et al [22 ▪ ] suggest that the parent's perception of supportive family-centred care is associated with lower depression screening scores. In general, co-located mental health services improve referrals [23 ▪▪ ] and outcomes of postpartum depression when management and treatment occur within the same practice that conducted the screening [24]. Mental health programmes that are integrated into routine NICU care are therefore the ideal setting to provide brief behavioural interventions that directly address the mental health of caregivers in the indirect service of the child [25].…”