Kaiser Permanente Northern California far surpasses national depression screening rates during pregnancy and early parenthood.
Those impressive numbers — 95% of all Kaiser Permanente patients in Northern California are screened during pregnancy, compared to 6.5% nationally, and 85% of all Kaiser Permanente patients in Northern California screened after pregnancy, compared to 5% nationally — reflect an urgent priority to offer mental health interventions to patients who face unique challenges.
“Our numbers are remarkable, and our screening program is so important right now because it is no longer infection or hemorrhage that most often kills pregnant people. It is drug overdoses, suicide and homicide,” said Katharine Banerjee, MD regional lead, Mental Health in Ob-Gyn who practices in Antioch, California. “Ob-gyns in the past have done a great job in reducing deaths from obstetric hemorrhage and infections. Now it’s time to treat mental health disorders the same way.”
Each year, about 34,000 pregnant Kaiser Permanente Northern California members are screened 3 times during pregnancy and at least once after giving birth, Dr. Banerjee said. Patients answer an online questionnaire about their mental health before a pregnancy well-check. If they forget, they will be offered the chance to do it on a paper form in the doctor’s office, she noted.
Mental health challenges of new parents
Depending on the severity of the issue indicated through the screening, ob-gyns can make suggestions for mental health apps, self-care, exercise, and social connection. They also can refer the patient to a mental health therapist, many of whom specialize in pregnant and postpartum patients.
Anna Koper, PsyD, a Kaiser Permanente psychologist, works exclusively with pregnant and postpartum patients in the Maternal Infant Resilience Program in Walnut Creek.
“We’re not just screening for issues, we’re backing it up with mental health care,” said Koper. “With the screens, we’re catching people who may never have asked for help and who may have otherwise fallen through the cracks.”
Pregnant patients often have specific issues they are facing that might affect their mental health. Examples of these issues can include questioning what kind of parent they will be, how much time they will have for themselves, and how their partners choose to be involved when baby comes.
“Some are thinking about how they were parented and comparing that with their own journey and expectations for parenthood,” said Koper. “There’s also heavier stuff they may not want to repeat such as abuse or intergenerational trauma.”
Additionally, therapists can help patients navigate work dynamics, parental leave, and the new load of household responsibilities.
For postpartum depression and anxiety, Kaiser Permanente offers well-attended group therapy, said Koper. Specific therapy is also available for people who experience traumatic births or grief associated with pregnancy loss or the death of their baby.
Dr. Banerjee said the screening program is a way to help patients find a path that offers coping skills during what can be a difficult time.
“Depression during pregnancy can be all-consuming for the mom,” said Dr. Banerjee. “It can prevent them from being able to enjoy any part of it. We can get them set up with the support they need to appreciate the joys and the difficulties that come with pregnancy and the complexities of motherhood.”
