Death by self-harm through suicide or overdose is a leading cause of death for women in the first year post partum, data indicate. Many of these deaths may be preventable, said Adrienne Griffen, MPP, executive director of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance.
Griffen discussed these findings and ways clinicians may be able to help at the 2021 virtual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Women "visit a health care provider an average of 25 times during a healthy pregnancy and first year of baby's life," she said. "Obstetric and primary care providers who serve pregnant and postpartum women are uniquely positioned to intervene effectively to screen and assess women for mental health disorders."
To that end, clinicians should discuss mental health "early and often," Griffen said.
"Asking about mental health issues and suicide will not cause women to think these thoughts," she said. "We cannot wait for women to raise their hand and ask for help because by the time they do that, they needed help many weeks ago."
Obstetric providers can explain to patients that they will check on their mental health every visit, just as they do with their weight and blood pressure, Griffen said.
