Pregnant Pause: Project Healthy Moms Updates

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Pregnant Pause

May , 2016 I ssue #59

Because there is no health without mental health!

PROJECT HEALTHY MOMS SCREENING AND IDENTIFICATION TRAININGS: AN UPDATE

With the support of Kaiser Permanente, Project Healthy Moms was able to provide 19 Screening and Identification trainings for 228 healthcare providers over the last year. These trainings were conducted in an effort to improve the identification of mothers experiencing maternal mental illness and to ensure that these moms are connected with resources and available treatment.

Project Healthy Moms achieved an average percentage knowledge increase from pre- to post-test of 42% during these trainings. Of all providers trained, 93% agreed to begin performing routine mental health screening at their practices. Among these

providers, the average percent increase in confidence discussing maternal mental health information following the training was 67%.

Overall, the average satisfaction with the Project Health Moms Screening and Identification trainings was 96%. Additionally, we saw a 333% increase in calls to the Project Healthy Moms Peer Support Warmline during the time period in which trainings were conducted as compared to the previous year.

In terms of resources available for those healthcare providers who choose to become more actively involved in maternal mental health screening and identification, Project Healthy Moms increased referrals in our Resource List by 38%, surpassing our goal of 20%. This expansion improves the dissemination of relevant mental health resources to mothers who may be experiencing maternal mental illness in the state of Georgia.

We are excited by the progress made by Project Healthy Moms in the past year to increase awareness about maternal mental illness. We are looking forward to future efforts that further spotlight the importance of screening, identification, awareness, and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

SARAH SCHWARTZ WINS THE INNOVATION IN PROGRAMMING AWARD FOR PROJECT HEALTHY MOMS

Sarah Schwartz, the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Georgia, has been awarded the Mental Health America (MHA) National Innovation in Programming Award for Project Healthy Moms. This award recognizes the continuing innovation and creativity of the MHA affiliate network in program development and implementation.

Project Healthy Moms encompasses a number of programs aimed at comprehensively addressing maternal mental health in Georgia. Such programs include a telephone-based peer support program, a state-w ide Resource List, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) screening and identification training, and community outreach. These tools are instrumental in mitigating the often debilitating and far-reaching consequences of maternal mental illness.

Sarah has worked tirelessly to create and implement programs that address gaps in awareness, education, intervention, and treatment for PMADs in the Georgia mental health system.

Congratulations, Sarah, on this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations to Sarah Yoss for Winning the Rollins School of Public Health Outstanding Practicum Award for her work on the Telephone-Based Peer Support Program!

DID YOU KNOW?

Maternal stress and depression symptoms during pregnancy may activate protective mechanisms in infants: A study conducted by psychologists at the University of Basel and others found that maternal stress and depression during pregnancy may be associated with the activation of protective mechanisms in newborns. Increased maternal stress hormones, depressive symptoms, and other signs of adversity during pregnancy were associated with epigenetic changes in offspring related to resilience. To read more, click here.

Postpartum depression screening requires follow-up mental health visit:

The Harvard Review of Psychiatry has encouraged postpartum depression screening soon after delivery as well as other subsequent screening to occur at later intervals in the postpartum period. The review noted that initial screening may be inadequate without follow-up mental health evaluations. Practical locations for screenings and evaluations include primary care, pediatric, and obstetrics offices. To learn more, follow this link .

New national iPhone study on postpartum depression exceeds expectations: An iPhone-based study conducted by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and the international Postpartum Depression: Action Towards Causes and Treatment (PACT) Consortium has had almost 10,000 women enroll since its launch approximately one month ago--very encouraging enrollment numbers. To participate, women need only download the app PPD ACT and complete the survey, with some participants being asked to provide DNA samples. To. learn more, click here.

Thank you to the Atlanta Women's Foundation for their generous support of the work of Project Healthy Moms.

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SCREENING & IDENTIFICATION TRAINING FOR PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

Project Healthy Moms' PMAD Screening and Identification Trainings are aimed at healthcare providers (e.g. physicians, nurses, social workers) who come in contact with childbearing women. Through this program, healthcare providers who are involved in maternal and child health are trained to recognize symptoms of the various PMADs and consequences of untreated PMADs. During the training, providers learn how to screen mothers for PMADs and are also educated about treatment options and referral methods. The goal of the training is to ensure that healthcare providers are able to correctly and routinely identify and refer women who may be suffering from PMADs in their practices.

To learn more and schedule a training, please contact Sarah Schwartz at [email protected] or (678) 904-1970.

RESOURCE LIST

Did you know that Mental Health America of Georgia has a resource list for pregnant and postpartum women? It is updated regularly and provides contact information for healthcare providers and outlets for self-care for pregnant and postpartum women.

To access the list, visit

www.mhageorgia.org/project-healthy-moms/resource-list/

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Project Healthy Moms is an important initiative of MHA of Georgia. Perinatal mood disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. In the United States, approximately 20% of new mothers suffer from these devastating illnesses which, if not properly treated, can have a long-term negative impact on the health of not only the mothers, but their children and families as well. Our goal is to increase awareness, identification, treatment, and support of perinatal mood disorders in Georgia, while also reducing the stigma associated with them. To learn more about Project Healthy Moms, click here.

Project Healthy Moms is only one of many programs developed by MHA of Georgia to further our mission of enhancing the mental health of all Georgians through education, outreach, and advocacy. Click here to learn more about MHA of Georgia's other programs. Your support will help us continue our work educating Georgians about mental illness, striving to eliminate stigma, and advocating on behalf of people with mental illness in our state. Click here to support MHA of Georgia.