Panel Calls for Depression Screenings During and After Pregnancy

by Pam Belluck

From The New York Times on January 26,2016Women should be screened for depression during pregnancy and after giving birth, an influential government-appointed health panel said Tuesday, the first time it has recommended screening for maternal mental illness.

The recommendation, expected to galvanize many more health providers to provide screening, comes in the wake of new evidence that maternal mental illness is more common than previously thought; that many cases of what has been called postpartum depression actually start duringpregnancy; and that left untreated, these mood disorders can be detrimental to the well-being of children.

It also follows growing efforts by states, medical organizations and health advocates to help women having these symptoms — an estimated one in seven postpartum mothers, some experts say.

The recommendation was part of updated depression screening guidelinesissued by the panel, an independent group of experts appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services. In 2009, the group said adults should be screened if clinicians had the staff to provide support and treatment; the new guidelines recommend adult screening even without such staff members, saying mental health support is now more widely available. The 2009 guidelines did not mention depression during or after pregnancy.“There’s better evidence for identifying and treating women with depression” during and after pregnancy, said Dr. Michael Pignone, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an author of the recommendation, which was issued by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. As a result, he said, “we specifically called out the need for screening during this period.”

“It’s very significant that the task force is now putting forth a recommendation that’s specific to pregnant and postpartum women,” said Katy Kozhimannil, an associate professor of public health at the University of Minnesota. “Policy makers will pay attention to it. Increased screening and detection of depression is an enormous public health need.”

The panel gave its recommendation, which was published in the journal JAMA, a “B” rating, which means depression screening must be covered under the Affordable Care Act.

For years, obstetricians and other health care providers who saw women during and after pregnancy often felt ill equipped or reluctant to ask about problems like depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“OB-GYNs thought that if they identify something and don’t have resources to support it, it puts them at significant legal risk,” said Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, the director of the perinatal psychiatry program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Pediatricians have the added caveat that the mom isn’t really their patient — the child is.”

And, she said, many women are reluctant to share symptoms with doctors on their own. If a mother is “feeling so anxious you’re going to come out of your skin or feeling that you’re going to harm your baby, you may think: ‘Oh, my God, I’m having these crazy feelings and nobody’s talking about it. 

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Spotlight on Compeer

Spotlight on Compeer

by Jessica Phillips

The mission of Mental Health America of Licking County (MHALC) is to promote and continually reinforce mental health and wellness through education, prevention and advocacy, and eliminate the stigma of mental health issues in our community.  All of the programs at MHALC work to connect mental and physical wellness in order to promote an overall sense of well-being because they believe that “there is no health without mental health.” 

Compeer is a program which helps to promote wellness in those who live with mental illness.  Potential members of Compeer first need to request a referral from a healthcare provider and then the program works with the individual to best fit their needs.  According to Shari Johnston, the Program Coordinator of Compeer, it is critical to help lower the amount of isolation people with mental illness experience.  Shari offers a variety of scheduled activities to give Compeer participants opportunities to socialize. 

One of the popular activities that Shari facilitates is an Art Journal group which allows people to use art as an outlet in many forms including painting, drawing, and sculpting.  Shari talks about the importance of socializing, and this group is a great way to help break the ice and start conversation.  Pat Scanlon noted, “Compeer has helped me by meeting new friends and getting along and having fun going places, doing crafts, and enjoying everybody’s company.” 

Each service tries to incorporate socialization along with wellness services such as “Walk Newark” where people participating walk together in different parts of the community.  Another service enjoyed by many members of Compeer is “Lunch and Linger” which allows members to choose as a group where to go out and get lunch. Whether they’re eating a meal, walking or doing a craft, Shari says everyone looks forward to their time together.  One of the Compeer friends says, “I like seeing the same faces every month or every few weeks.  I like the idea that there are people in the group that we can call if we want to or need to.”  It is clear that Shari is very passionate about her job and is making an impact with the people in her group. 

Many of the services Compeer provides were part of a process of trial and error. Not every activity they’ve tried has been a success while others are very popular.  Shari is not discouraged by this. She simply enjoys planning to make the activities as fun and beneficial as possible.

Jessica Phillips is an intern from The Ohio State University at Newark