Mental Health Treatment and Unmet Mental Health Care Need Among Pregnant Women With Major Depressive Episode in the United States

Objective: Perinatal mental health is a major public health issue in the United States. Yet, much is unknown about unmet mental health care need among pregnant women with a major depressive episode and the reasons for unmet need. Methods: Using a nationally representative data set, the study examined mental health treatment utilization, unmet mental health care need, and the reasons for unmet mental health care needs among pregnant women with a major depressive episode compared with nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode (weighted N=128,000). Results: Of pregnant women who had experienced a major depressive episode, 49% reported receiving any mental health treatment, compared with 57% of nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode. The study also found financial barriers to be the primary reason for unmet mental health care need. Conclusions: Despite current treatment guidelines and policy initiatives, most women with major depressive episodes go without any treatment utilization and perceive an unmet need for their mental health care.