Testing "Doula Link", a Multi-Component Intervention to Improve Perinatal Mental Health
Description
Many people experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns during the pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum periods. Despite interventions that work to prevent and treat, most perinatal depression and anxiety is unprevented and untreated. Doulas are trained professionals who offer emotional, educational, and physical support during this period. Their support has been shown to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
This study will pilot test a multi-component intervention, called Doula Link for Perinatal Mental Health (Doula Link), that gives doulas the tools to directly support mental health. Through Doula Link, doulas will receive:
a doula-specific mental health toolkit adapted from MCPAP for Moms, a statewide psychiatry access program;
training to implement an evidence-based, stress-reduction program called Our Babies and Us;
access to expert consultations and client referrals with perinatal psychiatric specialists through MCPAP for Moms.
training on perinatal mental health
access to doula support groups
By bringing together clinicians, doulas, and families, the goal of Doula Link is to support doulas to support their clients' mental health. Investigators hypothesize that building a program with doulas to provide direct support and link health system and community resources is an attainable intervention to expand access to mental health support.
