Identification and Therapy of Postpartum Depression

Depression Care Manager calls postpartum women and encourages women to seek appropriate depression care. In this context the depression care manager helps the women to identify barriers to appropriate care, her preferred method of care, and resources available. Calls are made initially at 2 calls per month, followed by one call per month and calls every other month for women who are doing well. Women assigned to this group receive research assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. They also receive information about community and health plan resources available for women with depression.

Participants receive treatment as usual for postpartum depression. Women assigned to this arm receive research assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. At the baseline home visit where diagnostic assessments are completed women are given information about community and health plan resources if they choose to seek care for depression symptoms. Women are also given phone contact numbers for the research program.