Screening Isn’t Enough: A Call to Integrate Behavioral Health Providers in Women’s Health and Perinatal Care Settings

This paper aims to enhance the current understanding of integrated mental health services in the United States and how they can be better incorporated in perinatal and women’s health specialty care from the perspective of a behavioral health provider. While much is known about gender disparities of mental health and low recognition and treatment rates for mental health disorders in women’s health and perinatal care, few changes are being implemented to embed mental health specialists where they are needed most to close gaps in care. This paper demonstrates the value creation of integrated behavioral health in a midwife practice in the State of Arizona. Clinical and operational workflows can easily be adapted to include a behavioral health service to address mental and behavioral health needs that, when untreated, lead to long-term adverse outcomes in women and their families. Financial barriers that may hinder success of the integrated model are highlighted and discussed.