One in 5 women experience a perinatal mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, while over 50 percent of pregnant women with depression go untreated.
Here are five ways hospitals can support maternal mental health, according to the American Hospital Association:
- Hospitals should incorporate measures to address mental health concerns, such as screening, referrals, medication, education and follow-up appointments.
- Providers should discuss and address mental health concerns with their patients early on to build trust.
- Hospitals should diversify the workforce with a variety of providers such as doulas, social workers, community health workers and psychiatrists.
- Hospitals should train perinatal nurses and providers on mental health conditions to best support their patients.
- Hospitals should establish a referral process to connect their patients with postpartum providers.