Antenatal comorbidity of mental health and substance use: Assessment and engagement

Abstract

It is acknowledged that women who use substances in a problematic way are more likely to have co-existing mental health problems ( Grella, 1996 ; Kelly et al, 2001 ; Neale, 2004 ; Teesson et al, 2012). Likewise, there is evidence that women are more likely to experience certain mental health problems such as depression ( Melville et al, 2010 ). Given that both substance misuse and mental illness have an increased incidence during the childbearing years ( Kelly et al, 2001 ), there is a paucity of research in the area of pregnant women who have comorbid mental health and substance use problems. This paper explores the ways in which this group of women can be engaged and assessed in practice.