Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

Childhood and adolescent stress increases the risk of #postpartumdepression (PPD), often providing an increased probability of treatment refractoriness. The mechanisms linking childhood and adolescent stress to PPD have unclear, however. The study investigated the longitudinal effects of adolescent stress on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and postpartum behaviors. Social isolation prolonged glucocorticoid elevation, leading to long-lasting postpartum behavioral changes in female mice. Childhood and adolescent stress significantly impacted dysregulation and PPD. Repurposing glucocorticoid receptor antagonists for some cases of treatment-resistant #PPD could be considered. #mmhreading #adversechildhoodexperiences https://lnkd.in/gHuvuj_C

A recent study analyzes data from a longitudinal study of pregnant women with bipolar disorder in order to examine whether sleep disruption during the perinatal period–either poor sleep quality late in pregnancy or sleep deprivation related to childbirth–is associated with postpartum psychosis. The study indicates that sleep disruption associated with labor and delivery is a potent risk factor for postpartum psychosis. #mmhreading #bipolardisorder #postpartumpsychosis Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women’s Mental Health at MGH https://lnkd.in/gc4A_kn6

Patients seeking #mentalhealthcare went out of network: 3.5 times more often to see a #behavioralhealthclinician than a medical/surgical clinician,  8.9 times more often to see a #psychiatrist,  10.6 times more often to see a #psychologist,  6.2 times more often for acute #behavioralinpatientcare, and  19.9 times more often for sub-acute behavioral inpatient care In-network office visit reimbursement rates were higher for medical clinicians than behavioral clinicians: 22% higher on average; 48% higher at the 75th percentile; and 70% higher at the 95th percentile.   Notably, physician assistants were reimbursed for office visits at an average amount 19% higher than psychiatrists and 23% higher than psychologists. #mmhreading RTI International https://lnkd.in/ebYu2Swm

Key barriers for nurse-midwives and obstetricians include a lack of resources, time, and expertise, all underscored by diagnostic ambiguity in mental health, leading clinicians to fear that they might either fail to identify mental health issues or identify mental health issues they would not be able to adequately address. #mmhreading #mentalhealthcare #perinatalcare Health Affairs https://lnkd.in/g6V92fF2

“Our current system of administering health care and payments for such is broken and needs to be fixed…”    “Instead of gender reveal parties, we can have Pharma baby showers ” [A New $16,000 Postpartum Depression Drug Is Here. How Will Insurers Handle It?] #mmhreading #reproductivecare #womenscare KFF Health News https://lnkd.in/gEs2rheg

Given the rise in the rates of behavioral health conditions, many state officials are looking for ways to track spending on behavioral health treatment in order to measure workforce needs, improve care, set investment targets, and more.  In a new report, Vinayak Sinha, Emma Rourke, Mary Jo Condon, and William Brandel of Freedman HealthCare offer recommendations for a standardized state methodology to measure how much payers spend on behavioral health clinical services in a way that allows for comparability across states. The methodology is supported by a detailed code set that identifies which diagnoses, providers, services and treatments, and settings to include in the spending calculation. #mmhreading #behavioralhealthtreatment #clinicalservices Milbank Memorial Fund https://lnkd.in/dZhhYVB7

A for-profit company has proposed remodeling a vacant nursing home building in Grinnell, Iowa, into a 60-bed psychiatric hospital.  #mmhreading #mentalhealthcare #forprofitcare KFF Health News https://lnkd.in/gZB27625

Last month, Congress escaped from gridlock to approve two spending bills that kept the government open while maintaining high levels of mental health funding. The Congressional action shows that mental health continues to command uniquely strong bipartisan support. #mmhreading #mentalhealthfunding #maternalmentalhealth MindSite News https://lnkd.in/e-tC5eiR

The #bluedot is the national symbol for #maternalmentalhealth survivorship, support, and solidarity. The blue dot symbol is owned by the community and is free for anyone to use. Join the Policy Center in sharing posts from TheBlueDotProject’s social media sites or post your favorite messages and memes from this toolkit during the week of May 5th-11th. https://lnkd.in/gRKVPiUR

During this in-person briefing hosted by Mom Congress, members of Congress and their staff will be briefed on critical issues and opportunities to improve the lives of mothers and families. The briefing will include the unveiling of the 2024 #MaternalMentalHealth state report card and pathways to supporting maternal mental health at both the state and federal levels -including the new Maternal Mental Health Task Force strategic priorities. #healthpolicy #momsmatter #momcongress https://lnkd.in/gFbbciSr