American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Education Strategies and Resources

A PMHNP can provide two key education strategies to address these barriers. First, they can offer psychoeducation to normalize mental health struggles in the perinatal period. This can be done by explaining that conditions like postpartum depression are biological illnesses, not personal failings. This strategy helps to combat stigma. Second, the PMHNP can provide a curated list of local and national resources, such as peer support groups, hotlines, and reputable websites like Postpartum Support International (PSI) and the MMHLA. These resources provide a safe, non-judgmental space for clients and families to connect with others who have similar experiences.

Policy Impact

A federal policy that impacts mental health services for clients in the perinatal period is the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which reauthorized and expanded the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. This policy supports services by creating a national, confidential, 24/7 hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) for pregnant and new parents. By providing immediate, free support, the policy significantly reduces barriers to access, especially for those in rural or underserved areas.

Advocacy Strategies and Collaboration

Two effective advocacy strategies a PMHNP can use are policy advocacy and community collaboration.

Policy Advocacy: The PMHNP can meet with state and local legislators to advocate for policies that mandate universal screening for perinatal mental health conditions. They can use data from their own practice to illustrate the prevalence and impact of these conditions, urging lawmakers to support legislation that expands access to care and provides reimbursement for these screenings.

Sample Answer

Two significant factors that create barriers to perinatal mental healthcare are stigma and societal expectations. Many new and expecting parents feel a profound sense of shame or guilt if they struggle with their mental health, believing it's a sign of weakness or a failure to "handle" parenthood. This stigma often prevents them from seeking help. Societal expectations that motherhood should be a time of unmitigated joy can make it difficult for individuals to admit they are not experiencing happiness, leading them to suffer in silence.Two significant factors that create barriers to perinatal mental healthcare are stigma and societal expectations. Many new and expecting parents feel a profound sense of shame or guilt if they struggle with their mental health, believing it's a sign of weakness or a failure to "handle" parenthood. This stigma often prevents them from seeking help. Societal expectations that motherhood should be a time of unmitigated joy can make it difficult for individuals to admit they are not experiencing happiness, leading them to suffer in silence.