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Trump will name more conservative judges. He may even pick a majority of the Supreme Court; Both sides react as Missouri reverses near-total abortion ban Literacy initiative to implement 250 new early-education activations in PA.

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President Biden asks Americans to turn down the temperature, House Speaker Mike Johnson promises an aggressive first 100 day agenda and Democratic governors vow to push back on Trump's plan for mass deportations.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

KS aims to increase screening for maternal mental health

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Monday, September 30, 2024   

One in five people giving birth experience pregnancy-related mental health conditions and medical professionals are trying to help Kansas moms catch signs early.

Perinatal and postpartum depression is so common in the U.S., the Biden administration released a national strategy this year to improve maternal mental health care.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first-ever medication to treat postpartum depression.

Taryn Zweygardt, a licensed specialized clinical social worker certified in perinatal mental health and chair of the Kansas chapter of Postpartum Support International, said many points of contact during and after pregnancy are opportunities to screen for signs, by OB/GYNs, home visitation programs and pediatricians.

"We're encouraging anybody that's touching women during that perinatal period, that postpartum period, to be having those conversations and screening women to be able to better identify if they're struggling," Zweygardt explained.

Zweygardt pointed out the statewide program "Kansas Connecting Communities" offers training, resources and scholarships to help professionals learn to screen moms and provide therapy services. The state in June also extended Medicaid coverage to include doula services.

Dr. Donna O'Shea, OB/GYN and chief medical officer for population health at UnitedHealthcare, said some people are at higher risk than others, including women with a personal or family history of mood disorders, those who experienced fertility challenges or who had a difficult birth and those who may struggle with substance use. There's an added challenge for moms who do not feel comfortable speaking up, O'Shea added.

"The problem is that there are communities, particularly in communities of color, where the stigma and judgment can prevent people from seeking the mental health treatment that can help them," O'Shea emphasized.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, Kansas saw one of the largest spikes in the nation for maternal mortality ratios for American Indian and Alaska Native people in the past two decades. Black women in Kansas also continue to be at disproportionately high risk of death.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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