Dr. Sharma stressed the need for early and repetitive screenings, noting: “From a health perspective, pregnancy is an important period of life. However, it is not known how many health care professionals understand the connection between the mind and the heart and routine screening and optimize mental health during the perinatal period.” She explained that these screenings should be performed with routine checks on hypertension and diabetes.
Certain factors, such as domestic violence, sleep problems, lack of support, and previous pregnancy complications – increase the risk of perinatal depression and anxiety. To address this, health care providers should be trained to use screening tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which helps identify symptoms of depression and anxiety. Treatment plans should be culturally sensitive, involve common decision-making, and consider pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, including therapeutic, cognitive behavioral techniques, and stress management strategies.
However, there are still obstacles. Stigma, fear of child welfare participation, time constraints for providers, and lack of coverage for mental health services, make it more difficult to include psychological care in maternal health plans. The statement calls for policy changes to make mental health support more accessible, including increased funding for Duras, midwives and community health workers.
Further research is also needed to study the long-term effects of mental health during and after pregnancy, especially in underrepresented communities. Dr. Sharma and her team highlight the importance of studying broader psychological conditions outside of depression (such as anxiety, PTSD, and early life trauma), which may have lasting effects on mothers’ heart health.
In 2024, MQ Mental Health Research creates an opportunity developed and funded by Wellcome to support researchers outside of psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience to apply bold and novel ideas and methods to their disciplines from disciplines to mental health sciences. One study aims to use artificial intelligence and mental health applications to support mothers with perinatal depression and anxiety. Read more about this breakthrough study here.
