2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

US INITIATIVES IN PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH: SCIENCE, POLICY AND PRACTICE

Mary C. Blehar

Director, Women's Mental Health Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

mblehar@nih.gov

This presentation will give an overview of recent Federal activities and initiatives aimed at promoting the health of women during pregnancy and the puerperium. Among the topics covered in the presentation will be (1) research recommendations from a July 8-9 2002 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) international conference on perinatal mood disorders and postpartum psychosis; (2) National Institutes of Health (NIH) research programs on maternal perinatal health and illnesses; (3) a new Federal initiative focused on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity through the combined research and public health activities of agencies including the NIH, FDA, and Center for Disease Control; and (4) a new Federal Initiative to screen for postpartum depression in women participants in the Healthy Start Program, which provides comprehensive services for low income expectant and new mothers and their infants.