Laia Health, a project for women with mental health problems during pregnancy and the postpartum period
- One in four women experiences mental health problems during motherhood
- The detection rate for anxiety and depression in this population is low: just 25%
As part of World Maternal Mental Health Day, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (PSSJD) is shining a spotlight on the need to step up mental health care for women during motherhood, a crucial stage in life when anxiety and depression are highly prevalent yet still underdiagnosed.
It is currently estimated that one in four women experiences a mental health condition during preconception, pregnancy or the postpartum period. However, only 25% of cases are diagnosed and this hinders the provision of appropriate care.
A project led by PSSJ
The PSSJD Innovation Unit is rolling out the Laia Health project to find new solutions. This initiative seeks to enhance maternal mental health through a digital platform which shares resources with women and healthcare professionals to support them.
The platform, which is now embarking on a pilot trial to assess its ease of use, delivers progress in three key areas: prevention, early detection and clinical follow-up. In terms of prevention, it features content and resources tailored to users. It also helps to spot symptoms at an early stage and enhance clinical follow-up through validation by healthcare professionals.
Laia Health will make it possible to assess the actual impact of this solution in the healthcare setting and customise it to the real needs of women during the perinatal period. Efforts are currently underway to improve the platform by adding new features and content. With this in mind, two focus groups are to be held with women who have first-hand experience on the afternoon of Wednesday 13 May and the morning of Friday 15 May. They are open to pregnant women or those in the postpartum period who have had mental health issues and been seen at a PSSJD Adult Mental Health Centre. Women interested in taking part (either online or in person) should email ParcSanitari.innovacio@sjd.es
Laia Health is an innovative tool which helps to shift towards a holistic approach to mental health conditions during motherhood.
