Recorded presentation

Karalee Poschman, MPH, Megan Smith, MPH, Heather Howell, MSW, Mary Cavaleri, MSW, LCSW, and Kimberly Yonkers, MD. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, 142 Temple St, Suite 301, New Haven, CT 06510, 203-764-6621, karalee.poschman@yale.edu

This presentation describes the process of systematic screening, assessment, and treatment referral offered by the Mental health Outreach for Mothers (MOMs) Hotline in New Haven, Connecticut. Since April 2002, the MOMs Hotline has provided over 279 psychiatric assessments to perinatal women. All women were: screened and assessed for psychiatric illness using the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), provided with referrals for mental health treatment, and contacted 1, 3, and 6 months following their initial assessments to track treatment attendance and symptom severity. Of the 279 women assessed, 53% (143) met criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), 28% (66) for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 25% (61) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), 18% (49) for Panic Disorder, 39% (108) for Suicidal Ideation and 12% (30) for Substance Dependence or Abuse. At 1 month after the initial assessment, 29% of women were in treatment. At 3 months, 23% were in treatment and at 6 months, 22% were in treatment. A diagnosis of MDD on the MINI was associated with significantly higher odds of treatment attendance at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up (OR = 2.5 [1.2,5.3] and OR = 2.5 [1.1,5.9], respectively). Diagnoses of PTSD and Suicidal Ideation were associated with significantly higher odds of treatment attendance at the 6-month follow-up (OR = 6.3 [2.0,20.2] and OR = 4.4 [1.7,12.7], respectively). Programs such as the MOMs hotline that link psychiatric services with perinatal care, may be effective in identifying women with psychiatric illness and increasing psychiatric treatment rates.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain knowledge on the prevalence of perinatal psychiatric disorders and determinants of metal health treatment attendance.
• Become familiar with techniques aimed at creating linkage systems between prenatal care and behavioral health providers.
• Acquire methods to improve identification of pregnant and postpartum women who have psychiatric diagnoses

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven Health Department; Yale-New Haven Hospital; Hospital of St. Raphael's; Hill Health Center; Fair Haven Community Health Center
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment by Yale University

Recorded presentation