Patients experiencing any of these or other symptoms should ask their health care provider for a referral to behavioral health treatment. As co-leader of the UNM Perinatal Mental Health Task Force, that is Crawford’s area of expertise.
“For the past year, we have been working on a project at UNM to really increase the standardization and frequency of PMAD screening for pregnant and postpartum patients,” Crawford said. “That helps identify problems and move people toward referrals and treatment.”
Crawford said awareness of these disorders has exploded in recent years due to increased funding, education and guidelines from health care providers and professional organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as well as people sharing their mental health experiences online. He said it had spread to Although more people are seeking help for depression and anxiety, Crawford said there are still too many who continue to struggle in silence without support.
“Untreated mental health conditions and substance use play an important role in the lives of families and their communities during this highly sensitive postpartum period,” Crawford said.
Something as simple as support from health care providers, loved ones, and community members has the power to save and improve thousands of lives.
“I wasn’t a mother yet when I started this job, but we all have mothers and we all know mothers,” Crawford said. “We may have a sister or a friend who has gone through something like this, and I think there can be such big changes during life transitions. We should do everything we can, not just as parents, but as a community, to support mothers and new parents through this.”
If you are a UNM patient who may need behavioral health services, please speak to your UNM health care provider about a referral to Journeys.
If you or a loved one needs emergency support, contact the National Crisis and Lifeline by calling or texting 988. In case of an emergency, please call 911 or contact your local emergency department. The National Maternal Health Hotline can be reached by calling or texting 1-833-852-6262. Postpartum Support International offers a variety of free virtual support groups as well as resources for new parents, families, and providers..
Fourr If you are a UNM Health System employee, click here for a list of mental health resources.
If you are interested in joining a UNM team that provides this type of support, please see details about the UNM School of Medicine Reproduction Psychiatry Fellowship below.
