Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is often the most overlooked area when it comes to the overall health of an expectant or new mother, but issues like chronic and toxic stress can be particularly harmful for pregnant and new mothers. Much like the numerous other racial disparities that exist between white and Black mothers, behavioral health disparities place Black mothers at a particular disadvantage.
Why Behavioral Health Matters
Too many Black families in St. Louis live in a state of chronic stress. Living-wage jobs, healthy food and affordable housing are hard to come by, someone in the home may be involved in alcohol or substance use, and the neighborhood may be plagued by robbery and violence. Experiencing this toxic stress every day has a direct impact on mental and behavioral health, and can be particularly harmful for pregnant and new moms.
Behavioral health issues among pregnant women can take many forms, such as depression, anxiety and addiction. These issues can lead to an increased risk of obstetric complications and preterm labor, yet less than one in four providers screen pregnant and postpartum women for depression. In one study of women living in high impact areas in St. Louis City, 80 percent of those screened showed signs of depression or anxiety. Women who experience high stress are up to 60 percent more likely to have a premature baby, compared to women with low levels of stress. According to The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, depression in mothers who have limited access to resources and treatment also can affect their babies, including:
- Lower infant birth weight
- Higher rates of malnutrition and stunting
- Infectious illness
- Hospital admission
What FLOURISH and PBHI are Doing to Make a Difference
FLOURISH is collaborating with Generate Health’s Perinatal Behavioral Health Initiative (PBHI) to help moms achieve better emotional well-being. We focus on helping moms meet their basic needs, manage stressors and build social support systems. By doing so, we can identify behavioral health disparities and combat chronic stress by:
- Building awareness of the behavioral health services available to moms and families.
- Increasing the frequency in which pregnant and new moms are screened by their doctors or other experts for behavioral health needs.
- Making recommendations for best practices in new care delivery models, with a focus on peer-based models that train women living in the same community to help moms find the behavioral health resources they need.
- Identifying strategies for reimbursing providers for case management services.
Visit Generate Health to learn more about the Perinatal Behavioral Health Initiative.
Successful efforts to improve behavioral health care must reach beyond just the medical providers to bring the community together in new ways to create substantial and long-lasting change. If you have ideas that can help, contact us.
