And yet, nearly 75% go untreated. These conditions are among the leading causes of maternal mortality. And while the clinical community has made great strides in expanding maternal health services, most practices still haven’t made screening for mental health a standard part of everyday practice.
That needs to change.
As an organization committed to improving maternal and infant health, we’ve seen how the outcomes change when providers have the tools, time and confidence to screen for mental health. Through our partnership with March of Dimes we are working to increase access to continuing education and practical support for clinicians, especially those serving in maternity care deserts where the need is urgent and the resources are thin.
Whether a provider is practicing in a rural community or a large urban hospital, the opportunity to screen for mental health is there. The question is: are we making it routine?
Why screening matters
Maternal mental health isn’t a niche issue. It’s a foundational aspect of whole-person care — and it affects everything from birth outcomes to infant development to long-term family well-being. It also cuts across care settings: OB/GYNs, family physicians, pediatricians, urgent care clinicians and APPs are all likely to see pregnant or postpartum women in their day-to-day patient flow.
Yet screening protocols remain inconsistent, and too often the burden falls on individual clinicians rather than being supported at the practice or system level.
That’s a missed opportunity. And it’s one that medical leaders can address, starting now.
Practical steps for practice leaders
If you’re leading a practice or health system that sees women of childbearing age, we recommend these five actions:
- Integrate validated screening tools. The March of Dimes recommends practices implement the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) or PHQ-9 at prenatal visits, postpartum checkups and pediatric well-baby visits.
- Make it part of your workflow. Assign roles and train staff — from front desk to MAs to APPs — so that screening becomes embedded in your team’s routine.
- Establish clear referral pathways. Build connections with behavioral health providers, telepsychiatry networks and community resources that support maternal mental health.
- Normalize the conversation. Treat screening for depression, anxiety, or trauma just like screening for blood pressure or diabetes.
- Track and improve. Include maternal mental health screening in your quality metrics and use data to close gaps in care.
It's a workforce and equity imperative
At LocumTenens.com, we help hospitals and medical groups across the country staff their maternal health programs — often in places where clinician shortages and access challenges are most severe. Our women’s health service line connects OB/GYNs, MFMs, APPs and behavioral health practitioners with care settings that need strategic, flexible staffing solutions. But coverage alone isn’t enough. These clinicians also need the tools to care for the whole patient — including their mental health.
The March of Dimes has led maternal and infant health advocacy and clinician education for more than 80 years. With their support, we better understand the stark disparities in outcomes, particularly for women of color and those living in under-resourced areas. Screening when done thoughtfully and consistently — can help close those gaps.
Screening isn’t the only answer. But we believe it’s where better care begins. It’s how we move from good intentions to real impact — one patient, one visit, one conversation at a time.
Continuing education for maternal care clinicians
Join LocumTenens.com and March of Dimes for an educational training series focused on empowering maternal healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills they need to deliver more compassionate, informed care to women before, during and after pregnancy. Register today to earn free CME credits.
About the author
Amelia Vietri
Executive Vice President
Amelia is an executive vice president and partner at LocumTenens.com, leading the women’s health, urology, otolaryngology and dermatology service lines. Amelia began her career with LocumTenens.com in 2008, focused on clinician recruitment efforts. She later moved into leadership roles, specializing in the growth and development of new service lines for the company. Amelia received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Since joining LocumTenens.com, Amelia has received numerous awards and recognitions, most notably, achieving partner in 2017.
