Screening for perinatal depression: a review of tools and barriers

During the perinatal period, the risk of mental health disorders significantly increases. Perinatal depression is one of the most frequent complications of this period. It is a great burden for both women and their families, yet it frequently remains undiagnosed and untreated. Perinatal depression may have a negative impact on mother-child interactions and further development of the child. According to the Polish Standards of Perinatal Care, midwives and doctors are obliged to assess the risk and severity of depressive symptoms in the 11th-14th and 33rd-37th weeks of pregnancy. The third evaluation should take place during the first month after birth. The purpose was to present tools which can be used to screen for perinatal depression. Barriers to perinatal screening for depression are also discussed. Women’s most common barriers include a desire to handle mental health problems on their own, being stigmatised and the child being taken away. It is necessary to provide comfort and empathy to the patient, reassure her that mental healthcare is a part of routine perinatal care and inform her where to get help. Health providers’ barriers include the lack of time, a belief that patients do not want to be treated for depression, the fear of legal consequences and the lack of training in screening. Regular training programmes might improve the situation. Mental health stigma has also been reported to be widespread among healthcare professionals. A higher priority given to mental health in the undergraduate curriculum and during professional training can contribute to reducing stigma in health care.