Perinatal mental health disorders are a major public health problem, affecting thousands of women, children, and families. Communities all around the country are mobilizing to identify and address perinatal depression and anxiety, and to support pregnant and parenting families. Use this page to learn more about how to engage partners, raise awareness, and develop networks in your community.

On this page:

• Tools and resources for community mobilization
• Oregon perinatal mental health initiatives
• Initiatives in other states

Tools and resources for community mobilization

Engaging partners and mobilizing communities to support families and improve perinatal mental health is challenging. The following tools and websites can be used to plan and implement effective community initiatives.

• SAMHSA and Mental Health America’s “Maternal Depression, Making a Difference Through Community Action: A Planning Guide”. A step-by-step guide to engaging community partners and planning initiatives to improve maternal mental health.
• The Commonwealth Fund’s “Implementation Guide for Parental Depression Screening: Prepare Your Community”
• Community Toolbox This online resource provides tools and practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building skills.
• Oregon Community Mobilization Tool Kit for Perinatal Mental Health. (Check back here soon for community mobilization tools, asample community needs and resource survey, and community profile for perinatal mental health.)

Perinatal mental health initiatives in Oregon

Communities across Oregon are organizing to improve perinatal mental health and support prenatal and postpartum families. The information and links below highlight a few of these initiatives. If you know of others, please let us know so that we can add them to this list.

• Oregon Health Authority and CHLO MCH’s Public Health Division’s Public Health Perinatal Depression Initiative (pdf). For more information about the Oregon Public Health Divison’s perintal mental health initiative, contact Britt Parrott, (971) 673-0383 (britt.d.parrott@state.or.us).
• Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon (541) 774-8095.
• Deschutes County Maternal Mental Health initative. Deschutes County has developed a Maternal Mental Heatlh Steering Committee with the support of the LAUNCH initiatve and a variety of community partners. For information about maternal mental health in Deschutes County and the activites of the MMH Steering committee, please contact Maggi Machala, (541) 322-7420 (maggim@deschutes.org).
• ”Speak Up When You’re Down” public service announcement (30 seconds). Can be downloaded for use anywhere in Oregon.
• The Oregon Pediatric Society’s START project trains primary care providers to implement Maternal Depression screening in their practices. Providers interested in START training can contact Abby Engeose at abby.engebose@oraap.org or call START (503) 334-1591, x. 104.

Perinatal mental health initiatives in other states

Many states and communities around the country have developed perinatal mental health initiatives – including public awareness campaigns, provider education, social support programs, specialized hospital-based treatment programs, and community systems-building projects. The information and links below highlight just a few.

Systems Initiatives

National: For more information about initiatives nationally and in other states go to http://pdinfonetwork.org

Indiana: Perinatal Network

Nebraska: Moms Reach Out Project

California: LA County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force

Massachusetts:

• North Shore Postpartum Depression Task Force
• Regional Massachusetts maternal depression project

Education and Public Awareness Campaigns

California (ACR 105): Public Service Announcement http://calspac.org/perinatal-depression-awareness/

Washington: Speak Up When You’re Down

Wisconsin: Perinatal Depression, A Health Marketing Campaign to Improve Screening

Minnesota: Post Partum Depression Education Materials

Provider Support and Education Projects

Nebraska: Provider Education

Iowa: Perinatal Depression Project