About one in 10 will experience the same in high-income countries.
Vernon said this guideline is important to bringing standard practices to a larger group of pregnant people.
“This just brings it to a global scale and acknowledgment of the importance throughout the world.”
Ariel Skelley/DigitalVision/Getty
According to the guidelines, these include screening tools administered by a maternal and child healthcare provider.
However, Vernon said these screenings can happen even earlier to catch signs of mental health issues.
Vernon said these screening tools are looking for a broad spectrum of mental health conditions.
What was once called postpartum depression is now known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
The issues in this category can range from anxiety and depression to OCD, panic disorder, and psychosis.
After the screening period, the WHO suggests a “stepped-care approach.”
That means the intensity of intervention increases with the seriousness of the mental health condition.
However, all of the treatment is based on what resources are available for a given area.
There, patients can find support, provider lists, and a phone line for support.
World Health Organization.Guide for integration of perinatal mental health in maternal and child health services.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Screening for perinatal depression.
