Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screening - US: An Updated Perinatal Mental Health Screening Tool Using a Respectful Care and Trauma-Informed Approach

How we talk about perinatal mental health matters, even in the minute details of words on screening forms. Any shifts we can make towards removing barriers to screening, reducing stigma, encouraging disclosures, raising awareness about prevalence, and creating opportunities for connecting with support and care are essential. In the EPDS-US, we have adapted the wording of the original Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), using a respectful care and trauma-informed approach with a focus on optimizing patient experiences and clinical utility while maintaining reliability and validity of the 10-item scale. Many individuals report feelings of confusion, shame, embarrassment, or stigma relating to screenings. These changes were designed to be supportive, clear, and respectful. Further, we provide an accompanying connection and decision-aid, the PMH Connect, to be provided with every screening. Join Early Impact Virginia to learn about the updated screening tool, and how to effectively provide this with each screening as method to provide a person-centered support to promote self-empowerment and shared clinical decision making.