WHO Unveils Comprehensive Guidance for Peripartum Mental Health Care

Key Points:

• WHO's new guideline assists healthcare providers in addressing mental health issues during the peripartum period.

• Approximately one in five women in low-income countries encounter mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.

• The guidelines target the unique needs of pregnant individuals in low-income countries, where mental health concerns are more prevalent.

Addressing the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum individuals has taken a significant step forward with the World Health Organization (WHO) releasing a new guideline.

Published on September 19, 2022, this comprehensive 66-page document provides a roadmap for integrating mental healthcare into routine maternal healthcare. The guidelines acknowledge that around one in five women in low-income countries grapple with peripartum mental health conditions, compared to one in ten women in high-income countries.

Dr. Jessica Vernon, an OBGYN and Director of the Perinatal Mental Health Program at NYU Langone Health, emphasizes the significance of this guideline in establishing standardized practices for diverse pregnant individuals. She notes that the recommendations align with existing best practices in the United States, signifying a global recognition of the importance of perinatal mental health.

Understanding Peripartum Mental Health:

Pregnancy often carries significant life changes and stressors. The WHO guidelines acknowledge that depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can emerge during this period, influenced by various factors that can increase vulnerability to these conditions.

"Mental health is highly stigmatized, especially during the peripartum period, when societal expectations of happiness and bliss are common," clarifies Dr. Vernon. "This stigma can inhibit individuals from seeking help."

Dr. Vernon highlights the potential impact of mental health conditions on both maternal and infant outcomes. The guidelines emphasize the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address mental health issues during the peripartum period.

WHO Guideline Recommendations:

Dr. Vernon notes that the WHO guidelines align with recommendations provided by The American College of OBGYNs and the National Perinatal Task Force, highlighting the importance of screening women for mental health conditions throughout the peripartum period (from pregnancy to one year postpartum).

The guidelines advocate for screening tools administered by maternal and child healthcare providers. These tools can identify a broad range of mental health conditions, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (formerly postpartum depression), spanning from anxiety and depression to OCD, panic disorder, and psychosis.

The WHO recommends a "stepped-care approach" following screening, tailoring the intervention intensity to the severity of the mental health condition.

"For women with mild symptoms, support groups and peer-to-peer connections can be beneficial," observes Dr. Vernon. "However, more intensive interventions, such as therapy, medication, and mindfulness techniques, may be needed for individuals with moderate to severe symptoms."

Recognizing the varying availability of resources across regions, the guidelines underscore the need to train healthcare providers, particularly in areas with limited access to specialized mental health services, in identifying, diagnosing, and supporting individuals with peripartum mental health conditions.

The WHO's new guidelines represent a giant step towards improving mental healthcare for pregnant and postpartum individuals globally. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for healthcare providers to screen, diagnose, and manage peripartum mental health conditions, contributing to better outcomes for mothers and their families.