A statewide system to address perinatal mental health disorders: The Illinois experience

Perinatal mental health disorders (PMHD) are widely under-diagnosed, under-treated, affecting both mothers and babies adversely. Two major barriers are societal stigma associated with diagnosis, and insufficient training of healthcare providers in screening, assessment and treatment of perinatal mental health. The UIC Perinatal Mental Health Project (UIC-PMHP) was formed through the assistance of HRSA to increase screening for PMHD, train healthcare providers, assist in the establishment of screening programs, and provide expert assistance in managing women with PMHD. The project accomplishes these goals by training healthcare providers through lectures and workshops, offering technical assistance to clinics and providers, offering clinical consultation to primary care providers, creating a network of agencies that provide perinatal mental health services in Illinois, and initiating a public awareness campaign. The project trains primary care providers in using the Stepped Care model, which provides a systematic method to screen, diagnose, and manage women with PMHD. In order to sustain the provider trainings, PMHP offers a consult service where providers can seek information related to PMHD. The project also coordinates with other state and non-profit agencies in the state of Illinois to create a network of mental health professionals that specialize in PMHD. The trainings and coordination have led to creating a statewide network of mental health professionals that is accessible to women across the state. The presentation describes the Stepped Care model, consult system for providers, and the mental health provider network. This system can be replicated in other states with similar needs where resources are limited.