Pregnancy-related Anxiety and Depression Worsened by Lack of Screenings and Inadequate Support in Healthcare System and Workplace

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Experiencing intense anxiety, lethargy, irritability, or sadness can be debilitating when trying to accomplish a simple task. For the task as monumental as caring for a baby, these symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect one in five mothers, many who feel unsupported.

In a new study, researchers surveyed hundreds of caregivers across the US about their mental health; networks of support; and experiences with caregiving, the healthcare system, and the workplace. They found that caregivers broadly experienced a lack of support in terms of PMAD screenings and mental healthcare, access to specialists, a lack of familial support, and inadequate paid leave.

"These findings confirm what families and advocates have been saying for years: our fragmented system is failing parents at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Too often, caregivers experiencing PMADs suffer in silence. Our data show that many are never screened by their providers, leaving them to navigate serious mental health challenges on their own," says lead author Erin O'Connor, professor of education and director of NYU Steinhardt's Early Childhood Education Program.

O'Connor and her co-author, Robin Neuhaus, conducted the study through Nested, a nonprofit they co-founded to advance family wellbeing through research-driven solutions. The report-Missed Screenings, Missed Support-draws on data from more than 900 survey respondents and 17 in-depth interviews, and highlights the need for more training for healthcare providers, increased access to health services and supportive networks, and expanded paid leave.

Key Findings:

• 40% of caregivers who experienced a PMAD were never screened during a follow-up appointment
• 98% of non-birthing caregivers (e.g., fathers, same-sex partners) were never screened for PMADs, despite reporting symptoms
• When caregivers were screened, they were often afraid to share mental health concerns for fear of judgment or being separated from their children
• Parents of infants in intensive care were 73.5% more likely to experience a PMAD than those whose babies did not require intensive care
• Families with more than 12 weeks of paid leave were 80% less likely to leave their jobs
• Caregivers in rural and underserved areas reported difficulty connecting with PMAD specialists

The report says that supporting perinatal mental health care requires a coordinated effort to strengthen community resources and advance workplace and healthcare policy.

Recommendations:

• More frequent and detailed screening systems to identify symptoms and foster trust
• Federally provided paid leave for caregivers and families, and flexible return-to-work programs
• Financial credits and assistance for families to address the high costs of childcare
• Medicaid expansion to include comprehensive perinatal mental health services
• Training for healthcare providers to better identify and treat PMADs
• Telehealth services for remote areas
• Online and in-person support groups for caregivers

"We can no longer treat perinatal mental health as optional or secondary. Families need consistent screenings, accessible mental health and child care, and policies like paid leave that make it possible to recover and thrive," O'Connor says. "These are not luxuries. They are essential investments in the health of parents, children, and communities."