The articles that have recently caught my eye are highlighted below and include the White House’s effort to promote food as intervention, bright light therapy as a treatment for PPD, and how we must consider and support proliferation of birth centers in hospital maternity desserts. The last article points out the rise of Black infant death (and likely preterm birth) during the pandemic - a likely correlation between increased maternal distress.

This edition of What We’re Reading covers the role of obstetricians as the primary medical home during the perinatal period and addresses the role OBs can begin to play on children's brains noting “Obstetrics is primed for the shift that is happening in pediatrics, which is moving from its traditional focus on physical health to a coordinated, whole-child, 2- or multigeneration approach.”

In this issue, articles covering solutions for addressing long-standing health inequities are proposed, two new treatments are discussed and as well as cost as a significant barrier to health in the U.S. both perinatal women and men generally. Also in this issue are conflicting findings about whether patients are finding more in-network behavioral health providers. My take (and personal experience) is that they are, through virtual behavioral health companies that are contracting with insurers, like Happier Living and other virtual provider network companies.

In this edition of what we are reading, I highlight a study on the top reasons young adults don’t access behavioral health care; the number one reason won’t surprise you, it’s cost. Another article is reason for hope, a synopsis on how states and Congress are responding to increasing stresses and maternal mental health. I also highlight a study in this edition that helps us understand why women often have sudden onset of suicidal ideation in the postpartum period and explains what clinicians can do about it.

The articles in this edition are organized by topic so you can quickly skim this post to find the news most interesting to you. A theme has bubbled up with a set of three articles in this edition, are titled:

“Is It the Right Time for a Paradigm Shift in Mental Health Care Delivery?”
“Opinion: Maternal Mental Health Should Be a Priority for ALL”
and
“Our Clinics Meet Mental Health Needs and Lighten the Load on Police. Let’s Go Nationwide”

The authors of these articles argue that now is the time to increase the capacity of community-based mental organizations and facilities. This included a discussion held at the American Psychiatric Association conference. Read more in the “Community Based Mental Health” section.