Georgia hospital system takes a new approach to maternal mental health

|

October 4th, 2023

Rebecca Bridges participated in a recent Alpharetta workshop for first-time parents. She says postpartum depression is a big concern, and she and her husband are trying to educate themselves about the warning signs. (Matt Pearson/WABE)
Rebecca Bridges participated in a recent Alpharetta workshop for first-time parents. She says postpartum depression is a big concern, and she and her husband are trying to educate themselves about the warning signs. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

In Georgia, mental health conditions are the second-leading cause of pregnancy-related death. But mental health is often overlooked during and after pregnancy.

Now, the Northside Hospital system is trying a new approach, offering a program of parent-infant psychotherapy to care for women’s mental health, in hopes of also promoting their infants’ development. Northside has a massive footprint in Georgia, with five acute-care hospitals and nearly 300 outpatient facilities spread across 25 counties and serving over 5 million patients annually.

For first-time Atlanta mom Chandra, therapy has been a lifeline. Her daughter is a couple of years old now, but especially in the beginning, Chandra said she experienced anxiety. Sessions with a therapist helped her navigate difficult family dynamics.

Related

Top Stories