Mental Health and SUD During Pregnancy and Postpartum – New CHCS Report

Perinatal mental health disorders are common and significant complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period. A new report from the Center of Health Care Strategies (CHCS) provides examples and recommendations on how to address perinatal mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) to build healthier futures for pregnant women during the perinatal process. This report highlights several integrated and innovative approaches to help guide states, health plans, health systems, providers, and community-based organizations. CHCS also hosted a webinar on this topic to discuss the report in further detail.

The report’s key recommendations include:

1. Support multidisciplinary care teams.
2. Promote health equity by incorporating people with lived experience.
3. Normalize substance use treatment.
4. Reduce bias and stigma through staff training.
5. Expand the workforce through community partnerships.
6. Encourage street medicine and harm reduction techniques.

Additional information on addressing mental health and SUD in pregnancy and postpartum includes:

• American Medical Association - Improving Access to Care for Pregnant and Postpartum People with Opioid Use Disorder: Recommendations for Policymakers.
• American Psychiatric Association – Perinatal Mental and Substance Use Disorders.
• KFF - Opioid Use Disorder and Treatment Among Pregnant and Postpartum.
• National Harm Reduction Coalition - Pregnancy and Substance Use: A Harm Reduction Toolkit.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Evidence-Based, Whole-Person Care for Pregnant People Who Have Opioid Use Disorder.

For more information on perinatal mental health disorders, read the AHRQ Academy’s ‘Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Behavioral Health Integration’ topic brief. See the AHRQ Academy’s Substance Use Tools & Resources Collection for many more resources on this topic.