Pathways to Perinatal Mental Health Equity
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
Summary
Mental health conditions occurring during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum (the perinatal period) occur in 1 in 5 perinatal individuals. To improve mental health care during the perinatal period, this study will implement and compare a health care model of improving mood and anxiety disorder care in practices with a health care-community partnership model. The study will include 32 perinatal care settings across the United States. Half of them will have the health care model, the other half will have the health care-community partnership model. The study is designed to answer the question, "Should states and healthcare systems put resources into a healthcare system approach or a healthcare-community partnership approach to mental health care?" The results of this study will help states and healthcare systems decide how to develop pathways for increasing access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Description
Mental health conditions are now the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period (the perinatal period) in the United States. One in five individuals who are pregnant or one year or less postpartum experience a mood or anxiety disorder. Despite these risks and the availability of evidence-based treatments for mood and anxiety disorders that occur during this time, most do not receive adequate treatment, if any at all. Gaps in care loom largest for individuals who are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or oth…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria for perinatal care setting team members: * Be employed by a participating perinatal care setting in a clinical role (including as an obstetrician-gynecologist, midwife, nurse practitioner, a nurse, a navigator, or administrative staff member who implemented the respective intervention during the study period). * Be 18 years of age or older * Provide verbal consent prior to the focus group or interview * Be proficient in English Inclusion Criteria for peer mentors: * Have completed PSI training to be a peer mentor * Be 18 years of age or older * Provide verbal consent prio…
Interventions
- BehavioralProgram in Support of Moms (PRISM)
Program in Support of Moms (PRISM): a practice-level intervention with implementation support that helps obstetric practices integrate mental health care for perinatal individuals. To help obstetric practices implement pathways for screening, assessment, and a stepped intervention response for mental health problems and social determinants of health. PRISM offers training in trauma informed and equitable care, technical assistance, and implementation and change management support.
- BehavioralPSI Peer Support
Postpartum Support International (PSI) Peer Support: a service administered by PSI that pairs perinatal individuals with a volunteer peer mentor who provides support, psychoeducation, behavioral activation, and navigation services, which includes planning, goal setting, and practical tools to manage parenting and mental health symptoms.
Location
- UMass Chan Medical SchoolShrewsbury, Massachusetts