Perinatal mental health, encompassing depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum, poses a significant public health issue disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority groups. According to data from the 2022 New Jersey Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey, nearly 27% of Asian women, 15% of non-Hispanic Black women, and 10% of Hispanic women report postpartum depressive symptoms, compared to 7% of non-Hispanic White women. Additionally, Black and Hispanic individuals are less likely to be screened for perinatal depression and access treatment.
An academic-community partnership between Rutgers School of Public Health and Central Jersey Family Health Consortium conducted a community needs assessment to understand disparities in perinatal mental health in New Jersey. Funded by the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science, the project involved qualitative research and an assessment of current state and community services.
The first study examined the experiences of women with perinatal depression or anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicated that increased financial stress and social isolation exacerbated symptoms while disrupting access to mental health care. However, the pandemic also facilitated the expansion of telehealth services, which many participants reported reduced barriers such as childcare and transportation issues.
In addition to traditional mental health services, peer support and community-based programs are crucial for preventing and treating perinatal depression. The second study surveyed the availability of these programs in New Jersey, revealing that 82% have offered virtual or telephone-based options post-pandemic. Despite this progress, access disparities persist; Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals comprised less than 10% of total annual participants in most community programs, with similar underrepresentation among facilitators. Barriers include stigma around mental health challenges, lack of family support, and insufficient language-concordant options.
Disparities in perinatal mental health reflect broader systemic gaps in equity within the U.S. healthcare system. Policies aimed at expanding telehealth access, diversifying the perinatal mental health workforce, addressing stigma, and reducing social and economic inequality are essential for advancing equity in this area. New Jersey has made some progress: Medicaid coverage for doula services was implemented in 2021 along with legislation for a universal home visiting program for all families within three weeks of bringing home a newborn. This initiative aims at early detection and referral for mental health support but requires further research to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing disparities.
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