Perinatal Depression Learning Community - Invitation to Join Perinatal Depression Learning Community Hosted by American Academy of Pediatrics

Posted on May 04, 2023

Perinatal Depression Learning Community

Invitation to Join Perinatal Depression Learning Community Hosted by American Academy of Pediatrics

Background: A major depressive episode during pregnancy and the first postpartum year, is estimated to occur in 12% to 19%of the general United States (U.S.) population. However, rates of perinatal depression are substantially higher among immigrant and U.S.-born Latinas living in the U.S. at 11% to 50%. African American women, whose estimates of perinatal depression range between 7% to 28%. Given the complex psychosocial risk factors among these groups, increased efforts to diagnose and treat Latinas and African Americans women are need.

The AAP recommends advocacy and training for workforce development for healthcare professionals who care for young children and mother-infant dyads, and for promotion of evidence-based interventions focused on healthy attachment and parent-child relationships.

Join the AAP Perinatal Depression Learning Community! With support from the Perigee Foundation, AAP will be hosting a Perinatal Depression Learning Community that will provide monthly discussion sessions to practices on a variety of topics that include: perinatal depression screening tools, engaging caregivers in discussions and counseling on protective factors for primary care intervention, identifying epidemiology of perinatal depression, describing risk factors that increase perinatal depression, providing culturally sensitive, humble, and effective in-office counseling for perinatal depression and improving referrals/linkages.

The Learning Communities will provide a supportive environment and opportunities to put learning into practice within a cohort. The learning communities will convene a cohort of 15 practices from May-August 2023. If you would like to participate in this Learning Community to elevate or enhance your knowledge and practice of supporting mother-infant dyads and prevent perinatal depression by supporting healthy attachment, please complete the following brief online application and commitment by April 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Xochitl Salvador at xsalvador@aap.org.