title: Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Maternal Mental Health.
abstract: One out of every five to seven births is affected by postpartum depression, making it the most common maternal health problem in the first year after childbirth. Early identification and treatment are essential, though screening and treatment rates are low. Factors that inhibit effective screening and treatment include lack of uniform screening policies in all maternal health settings, poor coordination of care between primary care and mental health services, inadequate coordination of community education efforts and resources, social stigma surrounding mental health treatment, and ineffective application of research and technology in the clinical setting. An interdisciplinary model that includes primary care providers, mental health professionals, community resources, policy makers, researchers, and technological innovators addresses these gaps in care and enhances screening and treatment efforts that improve overall maternal and child health. We present a promising interdisciplinary cross-organizational approach coalescing diverse perspectives from those working across policy, research, training, primary care, and mental health in various disciplines to practice collaboratively to improve perinatal mental healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Nancy Selix is an Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. The author can be reached via e-mail at nwselix@usfca.edu Erin Henshaw is an Associate Professor of Psychology, Denison University, Granville, OH. Alinne Barrera is an Associate Professor, Associate Director Clinical Training, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA. Luba Botcheva is the Director, Research and Strategic Projects, Center for Dignity and Recovery, Mental Health Association of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Erin Huie is the Manager of Policy and Development, Center for Dignity and Recovery, Mental Health Association of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Gabrielle Kaufman is the Director, Training and Technical Assistance, Maternal Mental Health NOW, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Selix
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Henshaw
authors.forename: Alinne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.forename: Luba
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Botcheva
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huie
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000639:trends*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation