Mental Health Treatment and Unmet Mental Health Care Need Among Pregnant Women With Major Depressive Episode in the United States.

Abstract

Perinatal mental health is a major public health issue in the United States. Yet, much is unknown about unmet mental health care need among pregnant women with a major depressive episode and the reasons for unmet need. Using a nationally representative data set, the study examined mental health treatment utilization, unmet mental health care need, and the reasons for unmet mental health care needs among pregnant women with a major depressive episode compared with nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode (weighted N=128,000). Of pregnant women who had experienced a major depressive episode, 49% reported receiving any mental health treatment, compared with 57% of nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode. The study also found financial barriers to be the primary reason for unmet mental health care need. Despite current treatment guidelines and policy initiatives, most women with major depressive episodes go without any treatment utilization and perceive an unmet need for their mental health care.