That is one important wrapper: Mental health considerations related to climate change in the perinatal period

Abstract

agenda for nursing. They have also partnered with Health Care Without Harm to mobilize nurses and educate health professionals about the impacts of climate change through the Nurses Climate Challenge (Health Care Without Harm, 2021).Circling back to the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women, certified nurse midwives, advanced practice registered nurses (including Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners), OB/GYN nurses, and public health nurses (to name a few) need to be aware that as the climate crisis intensifies, more of their perinatal patients will be impacted.Perinatal depression/anxiety screening protocols should be revisited and revised for patient populations affected by natural disasters; that is, providers may want to screen affected women more often. Organizations such as Postpartum Support International (2021) offer a range of mental health support options that can be accessed via mobile phone, at no cost; PSI is a lifeline for struggling perinatal women residing in locations lacking in mental health infrastructure. Depending on the severity of EWE exposure, providers may also want to ask their patients about housing stability, food security, energy security, and sufficiency of childcare.

Editorial: Perinatal mood symptoms and postpartum maternal functioning: Describing the evidence related to effective and ineffective interventions

“…For example, women who participated in the Visiting Moms R program in Waltham, Massachusetts (n = 149), scored, on average, 16 points higher on the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) (1) at program completion (relative to program intake) (4). This intervention included weekly home visits from trained volunteers through the baby's first year of life and corroborates the While we continue to think about ways to support pregnant and postpartum women toward holistic mental health and optimal daily functioning, there is a looming threat (risk factor) on the horizon and its name is the climate crisis (5). In fact, the World Bank recently issued a report estimating that more then 200 million people are likely to be displaced due to climate change/extreme weather events (EWEs) over the next 30 years (19).…”

“…While there is a comparatively rich body of research surrounding perinatal depression and anxiety, postpartum maternal functioning has exacted less attention, to date ( 1 – 3 ). There are several reasons for this including: (1) an early and almost exclusive focus on postpartum depression (PPD) as the primary mental health concern of interest in new mothers ( 4 ), (2) a lack of current, quick, and accurate tools to assess postpartum functional status ( 2 ), (3) inadequate attention paid to mothers and their needs post childbirth ( 5 , 6 ), and a predominant focus on infant health and the clinical outcomes of the pregnancy ( 5 ). However, over the past 10 years, assessment of maternal functioning has made its way into the conversation, and also into domestic ( 7 – 10 ), international ( 11 – 13 ), and industry-sponsored studies ( 14 , 15 ).…”

“…While we continue to think about ways to support pregnant and postpartum women toward holistic mental health and optimal daily functioning, there is a looming threat (risk factor) on the horizon and its name is the climate crisis ( 5 ). In fact, the World Bank recently issued a report estimating that more then 200 million people are likely to be displaced due to climate change/extreme weather events (EWEs) over the next 30 years ( 19 ).…”

Climate Change is an Emerging Threat to Perinatal Mental Health

“…Nurses have been ranked as the most honest and ethical professionals for 20 consecutive years (Gaines, 2022). Consequently, they have the potential to play a powerful role in educating the public (and other providers) regarding the health risks associated with climate change/ extreme weather (Barkin et al, 2022). In terms of current advocacy efforts, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (2021) has partnered with Health Care Without Harm (2021) to educate other providers regarding the related health risks (Nurses Climate Challenge, 2021), which are broad in range and impact multiple organ systems (Schraufnagel et al, 2019).…”

“…In terms of the mental health effects of climate change, the child population has been a primary focus (Barkin et al, 2021), while the impacts on pregnant and postpartum women have exacted less attention. Coincidentally, this is a common complaint of perinatal mental health researchers who have referred to the mother as the wrapper that gets “tossed aside” once the baby (the candy) is delivered (Barkin et al, 2022). However, in regard to climate, it is a mistake to only partially examine the plight of perinatal women as the mother’s health and well-being are inextricably linked to family health (Barkin & Wisner, 2013).…”