Despite the fact that childbirth is often a time of joy for a family, the occurrence of perinatal depression is very common. It is essential for the depressed patient to be identified and treated during the pregnancy or postpartum because the failure to treat can have significant morbidity and even mortality for the woman and the child. Despite various concerns several antidepressant medications are generally safe and, after a careful risk/benefit analysis and informed consent, indicated for the severely depressed pregnant or lactating patient.

This study surveyed attitudes toward mental health services and barriers to providing these services within the agencies of QueensCare Health and Faith Partnership, a network of faith-based organizations, and parish nurses who provided health care in a low-income, ethnically diverse area of Los Angeles. Representatives from 42 organizations responded. Informal counseling was the most frequently provided service (57 percent); yet only 19 percent reported that counselors had at least a moderate amount of training. Although 69 percent felt that referrals to nonreligious counselors were appropriate, 50 percent were reluctant to collaborate with government agencies. Barriers to providing mental health services included limited professional training, reluctance to partner with government programs, and financial and staffing limitations.

No abstract