According to the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, “Postpartum depression occurs in 10% to 20% of women who have recently given birth but fewer than half of cases are recognized.”  In order to insure that women experiencing postpartum depression receive treatment, Healthy Families America has mandated that family support specialists screen caregivers for depression within 3 months of enrollment (for those not enrolled prenatally) or within 3 months of delivery (for those enrolled prenatally).

• Baltimore County Department of Health
• Baltimore County Department of Social Services
• Franklin Square Medical Center
• Baltimore County Public Schools

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated tool of 10 screening questions that can indicate whether a parent has symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the year following the birth of a child. The family support specialists of the Healthy Families program administer the EPDS, when possible, both prenatally and after the birth of the target child.  If the EPDS score indicates the possibility of maternal depression, the mom is referred to mental health resources. 

According to the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, “Postpartum depression occurs in 10% to 20% of women who have recently given birth but fewer than half of cases are recognized.”

FY23: The annual target number for caregivers screened for depression is 80%. During FY23, 90% or 9 of 10 caregivers were screened for depression during the required time parameters.

The Healthy Families America annual target for caregivers screened for depression is 80%.  A total of 89% or 66 of 74 eligible primary caregivers were screened for depression within 3 months of program enrollment or delivery during FY21. 

Definition:

Screened for Depression:  Administration of a standardized assessment for depressive symptoms in accordance with the developers guidelines.