Normalizing Discussions About Maternal Mental Health

• Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center - Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center provides resources from trauma-informed care leaders across the country to help improve patient outcomes, increase patient and staff resilience, and reduce avoidable health care service use and costs.

• 1-833-TLC-MAMA Hotline Partner Toolkit | MCHB is a one-stop shop for content that can help health care professionals and providers promote the Hotline through various platforms such as newsletters, social media, workshops, and even direct client services.

• Perinatal Mental Health Screening Protocol and Briefing: A Culturally Responsive Framework for Screening with Black Birthing Persons was developed in collaboration with Black birthing people, birth workers, Ohio perinatal providers, Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, PhD, RN, CNM, and the POEM Program of Mental Health America of Ohio. Resources include the full protocol, a detailed briefing, and a one-page guide for those administering mental health screenings to Black birthing persons.

• Summary of Perinatal Mental Health Conditions (PDF)

Recommendations for screening maternal mental health conditions 

• Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: This Clinical Practice Guideline includes recommendations on the screening and diagnosis of perinatal mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, acute postpartum psychosis, and the symptom of suicidality.

• Universal Screening for Maternal Mental Health Disorders involves the routine use of standardized assessments and protocols by healthcare systems to evaluate all individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Tools for screening maternal mental health conditions 

• ACOG’s Clinical Practice Guideline 4: Patient Screening: ACOG recommends that screening for perinatal depression and anxiety occur at the initial prenatal visit, later in pregnancy, and at postpartum visits using a standardized, validated instrument.

• Resources for Integrating Perinatal Mental Health Care Into Obstetric Settings: These resources include an Overview Guide and supporting materials to help obstetric settings implement perinatal mental health care into everyday workflow.

Recommendations for treatment of maternal mental health conditions 

• Lifeline for Moms Toolkit offers essential resources and support for addressing perinatal mental health, including actionable information for healthcare providers and access to various tools and apps.

• Assessment and Treatment of Perinatal Mental Health Conditions: To assess the evidence regarding safety and efficacy of psychiatric medications to treat mental health conditions during pregnancy and lactation.