The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63291

Angela Shiloh-Cryer, MSW¹, Jeffrey J. Guidry, PhD², and Jacklyn Montero, MSW¹. (1) Great Expectations, Inc., 2020 Jackson, Suite 100, New Orleans, LA 70113, (2) Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, College Station, TX 77842

The City of New Orleans Health Department developed an application for funding, Great Expectations, as a demonstration project of Healthy Start, Bureau of Maternal and Child Health. This developed into a program aimed at improving women’s health through screening and intervention for depression during and around the time of pregnancy. Great Expectations also addresses mental health concerns impacting the health status of pregnant or parenting women participating in the program. The target population is women of childbearing age (10-44) emphasizing pregnant women with infants less than two years of age. The clients are given the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) and the score indicates when a referral is necessary. It is a self-administered culturally-sensitive questionnaire, composed of 35 questions, written at a third grade level and requiring only 5 to 10 minutes to complete. If a referral is needed, a caseworker discusses his or her concerns with the client and obtains verbal consent to set up a visit with the Mental Health Coordinator. All active clients of Great Expectationswho desire mental health services and match at least one of the indicators for mental health services are eligible. The process is fairly rapid, ensuring that clients will be seen for an initial mental health visit within two weeks of referral. Results indicating the major mental health issues facing African American women during and after pregnancy will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1.Identify a culturally sensitive and valid depression screening tool
• 2.Understand the need for a culturally sensitive mental health program for African American prenatal and postnatal women.
• 3.Recognize mental health indicators for depression in African-American women prenatally and post-partum.

Keywords: Mental Health, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.