Perinatal Foundation, Inc. Breakfast Forum on Perinatal Depression October 26, 2004 Concourse Hotel,...

Perinatal Foundation, Inc.

Breakfast Forum on Perinatal Depression

October 26, 2004Concourse Hotel, Madison, WI

Ann Conway, RN, MS, MPAExecutive Director, Perinatal Foundation

Cara Hansen, Director of Community OutreachMental Health Association in Milwaukee Co.


What Is Perinatal Depression?


Signs and Symptoms• Depressed mood• Tearfulness• Sleep or appetite

disturbances• Weight gain or loss• Hopelessness• Loss of interest &

pleasure• Feelings of being

overwhelmed

• Guilt• Anxiety or

nervousness• Irritability• Low energy• Loss of

concentration• Thoughts of harming

self or infant


Incidence of Perinatal Depression

• 10% - 15% of women experience depression in the perinatal period and up to 28% of women living in poverty.

• There were 68,510 births in Wisconsin in 2002. That means that (10 –15%) over 6,800 to 10,000 women were likely to suffer from prenatal and postpartum depression.


Depression affects how a woman is able to relate to:

• her baby• her family• her friends, and• her co-workers


“You Can’t Tell by Looking” that someone has depression.

• Approximately 50% of women with PPD are untreated.

• Those caring for women & children from pregnancy through the first year of life should be alert to the symptoms of perinatal mood disorders.

• Routine screening by primary care providers is essential.


Depression is treatable

• Depression may not resolve without treatment.

• When treated, women do recover and return to their roles and responsibilities at home and at work.

• Studies show that employees who have been diagnosed with depression and treated have no significant differences in their performance than those without depression.


Treatment Options for PPD - 1

Non-clinical interventions “Simple Things You Can Do”• Exercise• Diet• Rest• Rethinking expectations• Social support• Family support


Treatment Options for PPD - 2

Clinical Therapies

Decision between the woman and her physician after a risk/benefit analysis of her situations

• Medications

• Psychotherapy

(interpersonal or cognitive-behavioral)

• Combination


Consequences of Untreated Depression

• Woman may not seek prenatal care or follow through on health care recommendations

• May be less responsive to infant, resulting in delayed development

• May lead to stress in relationships• Increased risk for future episodes of

depression• Increased risk of self injury/suicide• Difficulty or failure in job performance


How does Depression Manifest in the Workplace?

• Decreased productivity

• Lack of cooperation• Excessive fatigue• Unexplained aches

and pains• Safety/Accidents

• Trouble completing projects or focusing on work

• Tardiness• Absenteeism• Alcohol/Drug use• Low morale


Why Is Depression a Business Issue?

• 200 million lost workdays per year• Costs billions of dollars annually• Rising healthcare costs• Affects people on prime working years


Business Issue - 2• 1/3 of costs for treatment, 2/3 of costs

related to absenteeism and lost productivity• Cost of untreated vs. treated• 8 of 10 HR professionals reported that

depression/anxiety has been a problem with their employees for at least 3 years

• Two of America’s most costly illnesses – similar to the cost of heart disease.

• Medical, legal, insurance & worker’s comp


Employee Attitudes

• Most don’t seek treatment• Concerned with confidentiality• Fear that seeking treatment will affect job• Unsure of health coverage• Embarrassed or reluctant to talk• Myths – Personal weakness, “tough it out”• Stigma


Impact on People

• All levels of the corporate ladder• Depression or anxiety can affect anyone• Career path• Lifetime earnings• Impact on family, co-workers


What Can Employers Do?

• Gain senior management support• Educate managers• Educate employees• Provide resources (specify)• Communicate available EAP or other services• Get input from employees (about?)• Develop a network of partners


What Can Employers Do? - 2

• Encourage mental health screening• Add educational pieces to existing meetings• Encourage treatment• Encourage healthy lifestyles• Respond to changes and crises• Review medical and employee benefit plans• Review relevant company policies


What Can Employers Do? - 3

• Ensure understanding of state/federal law

• Ensure fairness and consistency• Value and respect diversity• Provide appropriate work/life balance• Commit to creating a culture which

supports overall health and well being


Payoffs

• Healthcare cost containment

• Fewer days lost to absenteeism

• Improved morale and productivity

• Avoid or minimize most illnesses

• Reduced turnover


Summary

• Motherhood is not magical for women with postpartum depression

• PPD is common and treatable

• People recover from depression with the support of their care providers, family, and employers


Summary – 2

• Early identification and treatment saves employers money and prevents needless suffering.

• Employers can be partners in supporting mental health.


Contact Information

Ann Conway, RN, MS, MPA

Executive Director


McConnell Hall

1010 Mound St.

Madison, WI 53715

[email protected]

(608) 267-6200 - phone

(608) 267-6089 - fax

www.perinatalweb.org

Cara Hansen

Dir. of Community Outreach

Mental Health Association in Milwaukee Co.

734 N. 4th St., Suite 200

Milwaukee, WI 53203

[email protected]

(414) 276-3122 – phone

(414) 276-3124 – fax

www.mhamilw.org

Perinatal Foundation, Inc. Breakfast Forum on Perinatal Depression October 26, 2004 Concourse Hotel,...

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