Commentary by Tamika Queen, MD
Published November 2023

Screening and addressing mental health during the perinatal period is necessary to identify those who may be at increased risk for mental health disorders during the postpartum period. Targeting signs of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders through early detection is ideal to improve mental health outcomes for infants and caregivers in the post-partum period.

This module will aid in increasing clinician awareness and providing guidelines on screening and treatment modalities to help identify and reduce impacts from mental health disorders for infants, caregivers, and family units.

Keywords: mental health; depression; maternal depression; postpartum depression; parental anxiety; therapy; depression screening; sadness; irritability