Assessing and Treating Mental Health Needs During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Catalog description

This one-credit intensive (OCI) course examines mental health in the perinatal period, from conception through the first year after delivery. It identifies biological, psychological, social, and systematic determinants of perinatal emotional distress. It elucidates the prevalence and symptomatology of common perinatal psychiatric disorders, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), postpartum psychosis, and bipolar disorder in the perinatal period. It then provides an overview of evidence-based methods for screening and treating these conditions. Next, the course investigates barriers to mental health care in the perinatal period, and considers populations affected most by such obstacles. It addresses racial disparities in maternal mental health care, as well as in maternal health care more generally. In addition, the course emphasizes the impact of perinatal mental health on infant mental health, child development, and family systems. Lastly, it addresses and evaluates policies related to perinatal mental health.