In recognition of maternal mental health awareness month, this blog highlights a recent HealthConnect One study that looked at the acceptability of Mental Health First Aid training among community-based doulas.
According to a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are on the rise in the United States. At HealthConnect One, we know the important role community-based doulas play in protecting and promoting the mental health of women and birthing people.
In 2022, HealthConnect One was selected to participate in the NIH Connecting the Community for Maternal Health Challenge. This project was funded by the NIH IMPROVE Initiative, which aims to improve perinatal health outcomes. We are honored to have received a 3rd place prize for our project titled, “Acceptability of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Among Community Doulas to Reduce Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) & Maternal Mortality in the U.S.,” in October 2024!
Background and Methods
PMADs are a leading cause of maternal mortality and affect 15%-43% of women and birthing people across the nation. Research shows that PMADs are more prevalent in Black and Brown communities due to systemic racism and barriers to seeking and receiving mental health support. It is vital that women and birthing people are connected to perinatal mental health care to reduce maternal mortality rates and create a safer perinatal experience for themselves, their children, and their communities. Given doulas’ close and trusted relationships with women, birthing people, and their families, they can play an important role in recognizing symptoms of PMADs, encouraging new moms and parents to seek mental health support, and referring them to mental health resources.
Our study evaluated the acceptability and effectiveness of evidence-based MHFA training among community-based doulas. Three sites received MHFA training, while one site served as the control group (this group received MHFA training following the completion of our study). We conducted both pre- and post-intervention focus groups with CBDs from four participating sites and identified themes from these conversations with doulas.
Themes and Conclusions
We found four main themes from the focus group discussions:
Most participating doulas felt the MHFA training was beneficial and they agreed that the doula workforce needed more mental health training in general. They reported back that MHFA training helped them navigate conversations about mental health with their clients and increased their confidence in initiating these conversations. Importantly, though, doulas made it clear that the MHFA training was lacking culturally specific adaptations that would help them provide more individualized care to their clients.
Future Directions
Though the NIH Connecting the Community Challenge is complete, HealthConnect One intends to continue our research by expanding and scaling this project in the future. We are committed to supporting maternal mental health and uplifting community-based doula care.
For more information on the NIH IMPROVE Initiative, check out their website.
This blog was authored by Kanan Brent, HealthConnect One’s Content Strategist.