Baby Blues?
The Emory Brain Health Center recently launched a new program to support the mental health of Georgia women before and after childbirth.
“Psychiatric issues, such as depression and anxiety, are the most common adverse events mothers experience during the postpartum period,” says program leader Toby Goldsmith, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Emory School of Medicine, and director of the Emory Women’s Mental Health Program. “We are thrilled to help address these issues by offering much-needed support and consultation to those providing care to mothers and mothers-to-be throughout the state.”
PEACE for Moms will help fill gaps caused by access to care. Mental health providers such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and therapists are in short supply. “Not only do we face a shortage of practitioners in Georgia, most women have minimal health insurance coverage for mental health issues during pregnancy and the postpartum period,” Goldsmith says. “As a result, it is difficult for them to be properly evaluated and cared for during this vulnerable time.”
The program will partner with the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition to provide social services and support. For more, go to the PEACE for Mom’s website.
