Each year, approximately four million people give birth in the United States. Postpartum Support International reveals that one in seven of these individuals—around 600,000 Americans—will experience perinatal depression. This figure does not account for those who suffer miscarriages or stillbirths.
The University of New Mexico Hospital Journeys Program provides behavioral health services for patients at all stages of their reproductive journey. These patients may be grappling with issues such as difficulty conceiving, miscarriage, or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) up to a year after childbirth.
The UNM Reproductive and Perinatal Mental Health team comprises psychologists, reproductive psychiatrists, and behavioral health providers. They offer a safe environment for patients to discuss their concerns, work through symptoms, and manage any necessary medications.
Jennifer Crawford, PhD, PMH-C, an assistant professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The UNM School of Medicine with a secondary appointment in Obstetrics and Gynecology, highlighted the importance of identifying patients who require help. According to the UNM Maternal Mortality Review Committee, mental health is a significant contributor to pregnancy-related deaths nationwide. In New Mexico specifically, mental health accounted for 36 percent of pregnancy-related deaths while substance use contributed to 40 percent.
“To be able to help people who may be feeling alone, in such a huge transitional period of their life, is really an honor. A lot of it comes down to providing a seed of hope to people who may be feeling hopeless," said Crawford.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are defined by The University of New Mexico as the "onset, recurrence or exacerbation of mental health concerns" during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Crawford noted that some women are more susceptible to developing depression or anxiety during this time frame. Regrettably, around 80 percent of PMADs remain undetected, undiagnosed, and untreated.
Crawford encourages expectant or postpartum parents to inform their primary care or pregnancy care providers if they feel any change in their mental state. She particularly urges them to request screening for depression or anxiety if symptoms affect their ability to care for themselves or their newborn.
Patients experiencing symptoms such as persistent sadness, excessive worry, difficulty bonding with the newborn, or other signs of PMADs should seek a referral from their healthcare provider for behavioral health treatment. Crawford is a co-lead on the UNM Perinatal Mental Health Task Force specializing in this area.
“We have been working on a project for the past year to really increase standardization and frequency of screening for PMADs for pregnant and postpartum patients at UNM,” said Crawford.
Awareness of these disorders has significantly increased recently due to enhanced funding, education, guidelines from healthcare providers and professional organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as well as individuals sharing their experiences online. While more people are seeking help for depression and anxiety, Crawford emphasized that many still lack support and struggle silently.
“Untreated mental health conditions and substance use are playing a significant role in the lives of families and their communities during this really sensitive period of the postpartum year,” she stated.
Support from healthcare providers, loved ones, and community members can make a profound difference in thousands of lives. Crawford believes that not only behavioral health providers but also the community should do everything possible to support new parents through this transitional phase.
The National Maternal Health Hotline (1-833-852-6262) provides immediate support. Postpartum Support International also offers free virtual support groups along with resources for new parents, families, and providers.
For those interested in joining the UNM team offering this type of support, information about the UNM School of Medicine Reproductive Psychiatry Fellowship is available.
“Around 1 in 5 pregnant persons will experience new onset or exacerbation of mental health symptoms in pregnancy or the postpartum period. Despite this statistic, there are very few mental health providers in NM with specialty training in pregnant and breastfeeding/chest feeding patients. This leads to the majority of patients being undertreated or untreated resulting in significant risks to the whole family unit. Our fellowship strives to increase the number of specialty-trained psychiatrists in NM to decrease this burden on New Mexico families,” said Nina Higgins, MD, Reproductive and Perinatal Mental Health Medical Director.
