Maternal Mental Health: What Clinicians Must Know to Act Right Now

In this course, Dr. S. Anandavalli (Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CCTP, Clinical Faculty, Clinical Mental Health Counselling, Southern New Hampshire University) notes the lack of discussion on and research into maternal mental health, yet, given that one in seven women experience postpartum mental health challenges and that nearly a quarter of all maternal deaths are due to mental health issues, clinicians need to be able to recognise and treat perinatal mental health issues. After making the case that childbirth is a social justice issue, Anandavalli offers two video demonstrations showing how to help recognise and respond to maternal mental health issues and proposes a five-step framework for responsive treatment. She lists common evidence-based screening and assessment measures and outlines culturally responsive interventions.