Doula Programs: Treatment of mothers’ depression benefits children

Doula program managers are always looking for funding angles. It shouldn’t be too hard to make the case for doulas, because there are so many gaps in services and unmet needs. And there is great potential for new moms and their families to benefit from doula care.

For example, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlights the importance of treating depression in mothers. The article cites a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry which showed that treating a mother’s depression has long-lasting benefits for her children’s mental health. When a mother’s depression is treated successfully, her children show decreases in problem behaviors and symptoms. More than 400,000 infants are born to depressed mothers each year in the U.S., and children under age one are especially vulnerable to parents’ depression. Approximately one in eight women are likely to develop depression at some point in their lives, with the greatest incidence in the childbearing years. It is estimated that 24% of women become depressed during or after pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics has urged pediatricians to screen all new mothers for signs of postpartum depression.

The Doula Programs blog provides a forum for doula program visionaries and implementers to consider common challenges, ask questions, and learn from each other. Patty Brennan is the author of The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business.

Posted by Patty Brennan on August 11, 2011 • Filed under Doula Programs
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