Maternal Mental Health Project
About this Project
Maternal mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, perinatal and postpartum depression) are the most prominent conditions complicating pregnancy and childbirth - affecting 1 in 5 women.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression, and 50% of postpartum depression cases are untreated.
ACOG recommends that screening for perinatal depression and anxiety occur at the initial prenatal visit, later in pregnancy, and at the postpartum visits. Screening for depression, anxiety, and SUD is not universal.
Lack of linkage to care upon positive screen is a concern; when left untreated, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can have profound adverse effects on women and their children.
OPQC, in partnership with ODM, is launching the first year of the Maternal Mental Health Project. This initiative seeks to improve the identification, care, and outcomes of maternal mental health conditions during pregnancy and the postpartum period, with a focus on individuals enrolled in Medicaid. If you have questions, please email us at info@opqc.net.
Lessons from the Maternal Mental Health Project Resource
Perinatal Psychiatrist Melissa Wagner, MD PhD, faculty for the OPQC and Ohio Department of Medicaid Maternal Mental Health Quality Improvement Project, highlights the importance of assessing patients for bipolar disorder (BD) if an SSRI medication is being considered for treatment of moderate or severe depression.
