New program addresses mental health needs for pregnant and postpartum women

PROVIDENCE – Depression and behavioral health care for pregnant and postpartum women are among the issues addressed in a new statewide program created by the R.I. Department of Health and the Center for Women’s Behavioral Health at Women & Infants Hospital.

The Rhode Island Maternal Psychiatry Resource Network provides telephone consultations for health care providers to help diagnose, treat and manage medications for pregnant and postpartum patients.

The service is staffed by perinatal experts from Women & Infants, including a resource and referral specialist, perinatal psychiatrist and perinatal psychologist.

“We want to make sure that all babies, moms and families in every ZIP code in Rhode Island have an equal opportunity to be healthy,” said Health Department Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott. “The most common medical complication of childbirth is depression. It is crucial that we equip health care providers in Rhode Island with the tools and resources they need to support women during this critical phase. Connection is everything.”

- Advertisement -

Members of the network can also help find resources such as mental health care, recovery services or support groups for pregnant and postpartum women.

“Perinatal mood and substance use disorders are highly treatable,” said Dr. Margaret Howard, director of the Center for Women’s Behavioral Health. “RI MomsPRN is designed to build provider capacity in treating mild to moderate cases of perinatal mood complications and to prioritize specialty resources for high-risk women with more-complex conditions.”

For more information about the program, visit womenandinfants.org/services/behavioral-health/ri-momsprn.cfm.