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Background: Perinatal mental health disorders affect up to 20% of all women. Women of refugee background are likely to be at increased risk, yet little research has explored this. This study aimed to assess if women of refugee background are more likely to screen risk positive for depression and anxiety than non‐refugee women, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); and if screening in pregnancy using the EPDS enables better detection of depression and anxiety symptoms in women of refugee background than routine care. Methods: This implementation study was conducted at an antenatal clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Women of refugee and non‐refugee backgrounds were screened for depression using English or translated versions of the EPDS and a psychosocial assessment on a digital platform. The psychosocial assessment records of 34 women of refugee background receiving routine care (no screening) were audited. Results: Overall, 274 women completed the EPDS; 43% of refugee background. A similar proportion of women of refugee and non‐refugee backgrounds had EPDS scores of ≥9 (39% vs. 40% p = 0.93). Women receiving the combined EPDS and psychosocial screening were more likely to receive a referral for further support than women receiving routine care (41% vs. 18%, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Similarly, high proportions of women of refugee and non‐refugee backgrounds were at increased risk of experiencing a current depressive disorder in early pregnancy, suggesting pregnancy care systems should acknowledge and respond to the mental health needs of these women. Screening appeared to facilitate the identification and referral of women compared to routine care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The objective of this paper was to inform the development of a mobile phone-optimised, SMS-based, informative and interactive telephone-linked support system for new fathers. Methods:The SMS4dads intervention was designed to support fathers with helpful and encouraging text messages, links to relevant web resources, mood monitoring and connection to a crisis telephone support if needed. Forty-six participants were recruited through clinics and social media across Australia. Outcome measures evaluated uptake, user engagement and acceptability. Results:Forty men (87%) remained engaged with the SMS4dads intervention for the full six-week period. Users' feedback indicated that SMS4dads had good acceptability and that the content was helpful. An embedded tool to allow tracking of users' mood was utilised by slightly less than half of the study participants. Concerning levels of psychological distress may have been detected in several participants. Conclusion:The results provide tentative support for the use of mobile phone technology to deliver parenting and mental health information to men in the perinatal period. Participants' engagement and positive responses suggest that this technology could provide a welcome conduit for essential information and support for new fathers, and could potentially be further developed as a feasible medium for collecting information on fathers' levels of psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative on access to Medicare services for women at risk of perinatal mental illness. Method: Retrospective cohort study using difference-in-difference analytical methods to quantify the impact of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative policies on Medicare Benefits Schedule mental health usage by Australian women giving birth between 2006 and 2010. A random sample of women of reproductive age enrolled in Medicare who had not given birth where used as controls. The main outcome measures were the proportions of women giving birth each month who accessed a Medicare Benefits Schedule mental health items during the perinatal period (pregnancy through to the end of the first postnatal year) before and after the introduction of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative. Results: The proportion of women giving birth who accessed at least one mental health item during the perinatal period increased from 88 to 141 per 1000 between 2007 and 2010. The difference-in-difference analysis showed that while there was an overall increase in Medicare Benefits Schedule mental health item access as a result of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative, this did not reach statistical significance. However, the National Perinatal Depression Initiative was found to significantly increase access in subpopulations of women, particularly those aged under 25 and over 34 years living in major cities. Conclusion: In the 2 years following its introduction, the National Perinatal Depression Initiative was found to have increased access to Medicare funded mental health services in particular groups of women. However, an overall increase across all groups did not reach statistical significance. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative on women during childbearing years, including access to tertiary care, the cost-effectiveness of the initiative, and mental health outcomes. It is recommended that new mental health policy initiatives incorporate a planned strategic approach to evaluation, which includes sufficient follow-up to assess the impact of public health strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that expectant and new parents are most at risk of developing emotional and mental health conditions in pregnancy and the year following birth. Research was undertaken with 1,800 expectant and new parents to identify the key emotional and mental health challenges experienced, what were the compounding factors, and what could have prevented/alleviated the impact. 43% of respondents identified emotional and mental health challenges during their pregnancy and over a third (37%) experienced challenges at their birth. Expectant parents spoke of unmet expectations about what pregnancy was supposed to be like, the experience of anxiety, depression and hyperemesis – all of which were often not well understood by patients and/or health professionals. Body image, family violence, and the impacts of the pandemic were all seen to exacerbate mental health outcomes. Contrary to national guidelines, many parents came off their antidepressant medication, resulting in relapse at this already vulnerable life stage. Birth trauma featured prominently, exacerbated by poor treatment by front-line health professionals, lack of opportunity to debrief, and lack of continuity of care – all of which undermined new parents and further exacerbated their emotional and mental health vulnerability. The research emphasises the critical importance of education, prevention and early intervention approaches to support awareness and early detection and intervention. This presentation will equip midwives with insights, education and access to world-leading innovative solutions that are freely available to support best practice and reduce the significant levels of distress. All training and resources are freely available for practicing midwives and those in their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is awareness that multiple birth pregnancies and postnatal experiences are more challenging generally, little is known of the mental health impacts. To explore multiple birth mothers pregnancy experience and mental health outcomes during pregnancy, following delivery and postnatally. An open online anonymous survey was used to collect data from multiple birth parents, 1006 responses were collected. 713 completed the survey fully, providing very detailed responses to open-ended questions, whilst 293 provided high level responses only. The challenges of a multiple birth pregnancy was associated with high levels of mental distress and mental health problems. 73.3% of respondents noted that they experienced challenges during their pregnancy, and of these, 84.7% cited these challenges as directly impacting upon their emotional or mental health. Despite the challenges, 70% of these respondents did not seek treatment or a diagnosis. At birth, 73.7% of those surveyed had a caesarean delivery and another 2.3% had at least one baby delivered via caesarean. Almost 28% of respondents reporting experiencing a traumatic birth, with over 60% not seeking support or treatment. The heightened risk of postnatal mental health problems and emotional distress is indicated with 69% of respondents experiencing stress, anxiety and/or depression in the postnatal period. In addition, over three quarters (77.5%) experienced feelings of isolation. The results reveal the significantly higher risks of emotional and mental health distress for parents of multiple births. This begins in the antenatal period, and continues at birth and throughout the postnatal period. The results highlight the imperative need for information, screening and early detection, support and treatment. Given the high prevalence of emotional and mental health distress, low rates of help-seeking, and isolation, the need for continued advocacy to support the unique needs of this population group is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]