Please join us to explore this important topic with Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) affect 1 in 5 new and expecting mothers and birthing people. They are the number one complication associated with childbirth and a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. with a notably higher incidence among black and brown birthing people, where 50% experience PMADs. Despite these alarming statistics, 75% of perinatal people experiencing mental illness remain undiagnosed and untreated, potentially resulting in lasting physical and mental health challenges for both the birthing parent and child, as well as significant burdens on healthcare, social services, and the work force.

As with physical health, mental health interventions fall on a continuum based on the severity of need. A perinatal mental health continuum of care model ensures that pregnant and postpartum people can access the right type of care at the right time - determined by individual symptom acuity. 

This webinar aims to provide a thorough overview of the current evidence-based perinatal mental health continuum of care, and the obstacles that surround expansion of these vital programs and services.

Participants of this webinar will be able to:

• Gain a foundational understanding of the perinatal mental health continuum of care for pregnant and postpartum people.
• Examine how each component of care contributes to improving perinatal mental health outcomes including maternal mortality outcomes.
• Identify which perinatal mental health intervention on the continuum of care is appropriate for pregnant and postpartum people based on their symptom acuity.
• Identify the unique challenges and obstacles that programs and services on the perinatal mental health continuum of care face.
• Learn about local perinatal mental health resources that are available to families.

This webinar is for all of those working in the perinatal period as well as children birth to 5 and their families.