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Dorothy M. Miller, MSW, LCSW, Pinellas County Health Deparmtment/Community Health/Healthy Start Program, Pinellas County Health Department, 205 MLK Street North, St Petersburg, FL 33701, 727-824-6900 ext 11308, dorothy_miller@doh.state.fl.us
Background: "The baby blues" is a common reaction occurring in the first few days after delivery, usually appearing suddenly on the third or fourth day. Fifty to 75% of all new mothers experience this feeling during pregnancy and after the experience of birth. The Pinellas County Health Department is addressing this issue in women’s health. In the fall of 2002, the project began to screen all pregnant women entering health department programs for symptoms of depression. Methods: The Edinburgh Mental Health Screening Tool is a 10- question document that detects symptoms of depression in post-partum women. Care-coordinators were trained to administer and score this tool, with a score of 12 or above warranting referral to a mental health specialist. The first 1270 screens completed were the sample for this evaluation. File reviews and interviews were conducted to collect additional data. Results: Data analysis showed 271 (21.3%) clients scoring 12 or above on the Edinburgh Mental Health Screening Tool. Major client stressors were: finances, housing, transportation, domestic violence, substance abuse, parenting issues, and history of depression. Most screens scoring 12 or above were referred to an in- house mental health specialist while others were referred to outside resources in the community. Major barriers to care were: lack of insurance, client compliance, client/parental refusal due to stigma associated with mental illness, cultural sensitivity of tool, language barrier, and extensive wait time for services and assessment. Conclusions: 271(21.3%) clients represent a significant percentage of the client base and verify the need for mental health services targeting pregnant and post-partum women. The screening process should be more aggressive targeting post-partum women not just initially with pregnant women. Only half of all screens were conducted during post-partum time of 8-10 weeks after pregnancy. Approximately one-third of clients declined mental health services or referrals due to the stigma regarding mental illness within society. The Pinellas County Health Department will continue monitoring the project to eliminate barriers and work with community partners to provide culturally appropriate services for this target population
Learning Objectives: Purpose/Goal(s) of presentation
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.