Overcoming Barriers to Addressing Perinatal Depression: Perspectives of Women [English and Spanish versions]

A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files below. Despite the availability of effective evidence-based treatmentsand frequent contact with OB/Gyn providers, perinatal depression remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. Understanding the perceptions of women who have experienced perinatal depression may inform needed changes in screening, assessment, treatment, and prevention

Listening to Mothers: What\u27s Helpful for Mothers Experiencing Perinatal Depression [English and Spanish versions]

A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files below. Understanding the experiences of women who have experienced perinatal depression may help inform needed changes in how health care professionals and organizations screen, diagnose, and treat perinatal depression

5 Tips to Treating Women with Perinatal Depression

Approximately 1 in 7 women experience perinatal depression, a depressive episode that occurs during pregnancy or within the first year after delivery or adoption. This tip sheet has 5 ways health care providers can help women who are experiencing perinatal depression. This tip sheet is based off of Listening to Mothers: What\u27s Helpful for Mothers Experiencing Perinatal Depression

Navigating the Complexity of Using Research in Policy and Practice Decisions [English and Spanish versions]

A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files below. Preliminary findings from this study call for heightened attention to the shifting and multi-dimensional complexity of decision-making that occurs in public service systems. Attention to this complexity will allow for the use of research evidence in coherent, relevant and effective ways

Intermediaries Promote the Use of Research Evidence in Children\u27s Behavioral Health Systems Change [English and Spanish versions]

A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files below. In this Issue Brief, we provide background on the use of research to inform policy and practice, describe the use of evidence in the context of Massachusetts-wide systems change in children’s behavioral health services, and discuss the key role of intermediaries in facilitating knowledge exchange

Center for Mental Health Services Research Dissemination Activities

Introduction The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) Center for Mental Health Services Research (CMHSR) conducts research to enhance services, improve the quality of life, and promote recovery for people with behavioral health conditions. The Center was founded in 1993 as a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Research Center of Excellence. Center faculty receive funding from a variety of federal, state and foundation sources. The Center’s focus on community-based research and engagement with providers, consumers and families also carries the message of hope for the many adults, children, adolescents and families living with mental illness. The Mental Health Agency Research Network (MHARN) expands on the dissemination and research functions of CMHSR to reach providers serving DMH clients across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The goals of the MHARN include Dissemination, Engagement and Collaboration as a way to facilitate the translation of research findings into practice and bring together providers with researchers to engage in new research on services provided in the community. Four Research Subject Areas: Child, Youth & Family Mental Health Law, Ethics & Mental Health Multicultural Research Rehabilitation, Recovery & Wellness The Dissemination Series Products for a diverse audience including clinicians/providers, mental health service users and their families, and researchers. Psychiatry Issue Briefs Issue briefs focus on translating research findings into concise, user-friendly information that is accessible to all Research You Can Use A one-page summary of research findings and recommendations specifically developed for busy providers Research in the Works Summarizes current and ongoing research project

Barriers and Facilitators to Addressing Perinatal Depression in Obstetric Settings

Background: Perinatal depression is common and can cause suffering for mother, fetus/child and family. The perinatal period is an ideal time to detect and treat depression due to regular contact between mothers and health professionals. Despite the opportune time and setting, depression is under-diagnosed and under-treated in the obstetric setting. Caring and committed providers are frustrated and confused, and mothers do not feel heard or understood by their providers. Objectives: (1) Identify postpartum women’s perspective on how perinatal depression is addressed in obstetric settings; (2) Identify strategies for improvement of the delivery of depression care in OB/Gyn settings; and, (3) Inform the development of interventions aimed to improve the delivery of perinatal depression care in obstetric settings. Methods: Four, two hour focus groups were conducted women 3 months – 3 years postpartum (n=27), who identified experiencing symptoms of perinatal depression. Focus group data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results: Participants reported individual, provider and systems-level barriers and facilitators to seeking perinatal depression treatment. Women reported feeling stigmatized, afraid of losing parental rights, and described negative experiences with medical providers, including feeling dismissed by providers and uncomfortable discussing mental health concerns. A lack of provider knowledge and skill sets to address depression was noted by participants. Participants recommended an integrated approach, including psycho-education, peer-support, and provider education/training to improve perinatal depression care in the obstetric setting. Conclusion: Individual, provider and systems-level barriers hinder women from addressing issues of perinatal depression and receiving appropriate care. These data suggest strategies that integrate depression and obstetric care to support OB/Gyns providers and staff in their roles as front line providers to perinatal women. Future efforts could focus on the development of multidisciplinary treatment strategies that utilize patient psychoeducation and provider training and education to overcome barriers and engage women in depression treatment

Relationships as Key to Recovery for Perinatal Women Living with Depression

Findings from a study of women with lived experience of depression during and after pregnancy, specific to what is helpful, what are barriers and how to affect change

Women\u27s perspectives on postpartum depression screening in pediatric settings: a preliminary study

This preliminary study is the first to identify mothers\u27 perspectives on barriers and facilitators to addressing postpartum depression (PPD) in pediatric settings. We conducted four 90-min focus groups with women (n = 27) who self-identified a history of perinatal depression and/or emotional complications. Barriers reported included stigma and fear among women and lack of provider knowledge/skills regarding depression. Participants recommended non-stigmatizing approaches to depression screening/referral. Future PPD screening efforts should leverage the pediatrician-mother relationship to mitigate mothers\u27 fears and encourage help-seeking