Last week I spoke at the annual conference of the Georgia Perinatal Association. What a great group of RNs, social workers, OBs and others!! I really enjoyed sharing with them as much information as possible about the spectrum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and appreciated how interested they were in the topic. So many of them came up to me afterwards to say that they had implemented screening and education — they are really doing their best to share the latest information with their patients, look for risk factors and utilize screening tools to identify sufferers.
Their chief concerns? Foremost is the issue of what to do next once a woman is identified as someone who may be suffering PPD or another perinatal mental illness. Our nation is suffering from a shortage of mental health providers, and we certainly don’t have very many people specifically trained on treating perinatal mental illness. Are the few that are trained taking patients? What if the woman has too long of a wait to get in to see the psychiatrist? It seems to me that everyone’s biggest concern at the conference was where to send their patients and how to make sure they are cared for effectively. Secondly, what about reimbursement for screening? Many states’ Medicaid programs don’t offer reimbursement, including Georgia. (Kudos to the few that do, like Illinois!) And then there’s insurance — what about women who don’t have psychiatric coverage and can’t afford therapy or meds? What about the women who don’t have transportation to get to the doctor? How can they ensure that these women will be cared for properly?
I thought I’d bring their questions to you, across the country, and ask what innovative programs you have seen that complete the second half of the treatment picture — education and identification comes first, but then we must have referrral and treatment to complete the circle. If you have seen this done well in your state, let me know at stonecallis@msn.com and I will share your knowledge of best practices with the readers of Postpartum Progress.
my name is Carla and I am a part of a program through Mental Health America of Colorado titled A Mother's Wings. When I was going through PPD I could not find any one to help me. My husband called 10 psychiatrists and not a single one called him back. A Mother's Wings is trying to make it easier for women to find the help they need. We have spent a great deal of time putting together a resource list. All of the professionals on this list are screened by our State Coordinator for PSI. She looks to make sure they have training and vast knowledge of PPD. We have also recently applied for a grant to help women in need with financial support for doctors fees as well as transportation costs to and from the doctors. The state of Colorado has nothing in place. Several Denver area hospitals are implementing screening procedures, but nothing has been mandated by the state. You can see our resource list at http://www.mhacolorado.org/AMW under the "Where do I find help" tab.