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Resources for Providers

Integrated Behavioral Health

How and When to Screen

The Colorado Children's Healthcare Access Program provides detailed information for providers on when and how to screen for pregnancy-related depression and other mental health concerns. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most well-known, validated instrument for screening pregnancy-related depression and is available on their website with instructions for scoring. Beginning July 2017, Medicaid allows for three maternal depression screenings within the first year postpartum. Screenings are recommended during the following visits: 0-1-month visit, the 2-month visit, and either the 4-month or 6-month visit. However, providers may screen any time up to 12 months postpartum.

Visit the website to learn more about when and how to screen, how to respond to screening results, and how to bill for screening. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidance and resources for pediatric care providers on perinatal mental health and social support. Access the resources on the AAP site. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics Setting up Postpartum Depression Screening provides practical tips on how to integrate postpartum depression screening into pediatric practices. The article breaks down the AAP policy statement on postpartum depression using four steps for identification, screening, referring treatment and payment with links to resources that can help with each step. 

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guides that ALL perinatal women should be screened for mental health conditions. Patient screening tools are available on the ACOG website

The ACOG Maternal Mental Health Depression and Anxiety Patient Safety Bundle was created through the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care, and covers readiness, recognition and prevention, response, and reporting/systems learning. Alongside recommendations for providers under each category, the tool offers additional resources and relevant links.

 

Medication for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Mothers

Provider-to-provider resources for identifying the most current research on what medication is safe for mother and child

Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health - Research is always evolving. The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health stays up to date on the most current research for breastfeeding and psychiatric medications.

Infant Risk - Questions about OTC or prescription medications while pregnant or nursing? Call experts at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. (806) 352-2519. Available Monday - Friday, 7 am - 4pm MST.

Mother to Baby - English/Spanish support on medications that are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Call at 866-626-6847. Text at 855-999-3525.

 

Consultation and Support

The Postpartum Support International Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line is available for medical professionals who have questions about supporting the mental health of pregnant and postpartum patients and pre-conception planning. The Psychiatric Consult Line is staffed by reproductive psychiatrists who are members of PSI and specialists in the treatment of perinatal mental health disorders. The service is free and available by appointment.

CoPPCAP, Colorado Pediatric Psychiatry Access & Consultation Program, is a Child Psychiatry Access Program (CPAP) developed to assist Colorado pediatric primary care providers assess and provide treatment for pediatric behavioral/mental health conditions presenting in the primary care setting.

Patient Education and Self-Care

The Pregnancy Related Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Guidance and Lifestyle Tool is designed for anyone who works with people in the perinatal period. This guideline assists providers with the assessment and management of pregnancy-related depression and anxiety. The lifestyle tool can be used to help patients create a plan for decreasing symptoms by increasing healthy behaviors. 

Parents Thrive Colorado has compiled Perinatal Wellness and Self-Care Resources such as tools, videos, blogs, and other resources to promote wellness and self-care in the perinatal period.

Child Care

The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Support Line from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood provides free early childhood mental health consultation to childcare providers, parents, and other caregivers to support them in fostering the social-emotional development and mental health of the children in their care. The webpage contains information about the consultation program as well as other resources related to early childhood mental health.

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