Citation

Sanmartin MX, Ali MM, Chen J, Dwyer DS. Psychiatr. Serv. 2019; 70(6): 503-506.

Affiliation

Department of Health Professions, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York (Sanmartin); Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Ali); Department of Health Services Administration, University of Maryland, College Park (Chen); Department of Technology and Society, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (Dwyer).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.201800433

PMID

30966943

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Perinatal mental health is a major public health issue in the United States. Yet, much is unknown about unmet mental health care need among pregnant women with a major depressive episode and the reasons for unmet need.

METHODS: Using a nationally representative data set, the study examined mental health treatment utilization, unmet mental health care need, and the reasons for unmet mental health care needs among pregnant women with a major depressive episode compared with nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode (weighted N=128,000).

RESULTS: Of pregnant women who had experienced a major depressive episode, 49% reported receiving any mental health treatment, compared with 57% of nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode. The study also found financial barriers to be the primary reason for unmet mental health care need.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite current treatment guidelines and policy initiatives, most women with major depressive episodes go without any treatment utilization and perceive an unmet need for their mental health care.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol and drug abuse; Mental illness; Women; opioids