Digital screening tool to help save lives of new, expectant mothers

A lifesaving multimillion-dollar initiative will help save the lives of new and expectant Queensland mothers tortured by perinatal mental health problems.

A new screening tool will help assess the mental health of new and expectant mums.

A lifesaving multimillion-dollar initiative will help save the lives of new and expectant Queensland mothers tortured by perinatal mental health problems.

With one in five women suffering from mild to severe, life threatening disorders, they will be more likely to get help early under a $10.3 million jointly funded State-Commonwealth plan.

The funding will be used to implement iCOPE, a universal perinatal mental health digital screening tool, across public maternity, birthing and post natal services.

iCOPE screens for symptoms of depression and anxiety and assesses psychological risk factors to ensure mothers are provided with the right support.

It works by sending mothers a text message with a link to a questionnaire that can be completed on the patient’s phone.

The tool then develops tailored reports for clinicians that identifies key personal risks and symptoms.

This information assists clinicians to have meaningful conversations with mothers about their mental health and wellbeing, and the appropriate support and treatment services available to them.

Queensland Health Minster Shannon Fentiman. Picture: Liam Kidston

Perinatal mental health covers a range of emotional and mental health disorders, from mild and transient to severe and disabling.

These disorders can occur at any time during or after a pregnancy and the most commonly experienced disorders are anxiety, depression, or both. Serious conditions such as postpartum psychosis or bipolar disorder can also occur, however these are less common.

The implementation of iCOPE is part of the wider Perinatal Mental Health Screening Initiative to increase awareness of perinatal mental health and improve services for families.

This initiative will assist Queensland clinicians while providing nationally consistent perinatal mental health de-identified data to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Queensland’s funding commitment is part of Queensland Health’s $89 million commitment over five years, as part of the Better Care Together program, to improve the mental health and wellbeing of new parents and infants across the state.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the technology offers patients the privacy they need to feel they can reach out for help.

“We know that mental health and wellbeing of both new and expectant mothers is crucial during the perinatal period,” she said.

“That’s why we’ve invested $89 million from our Better Care Together plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of new parents and infants across the state.

“Implementing iCOPE across our public maternity and family care settings will ensure clinicians have the information they need to provide the best possible care to new mums and their families,” she said.

“This joint funding with the Commonwealth highlights the Palaszczuk and Albanese governments’ commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing services for all expectant and new parents.”

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said that the transition into parenthood can be tough.

“Studies in Australia and around the world suggest at least one in five women will experience depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy, and the year following birth.

“With iCOPE, we’re making sure mothers in Queensland can access the mental health care and support they need during pregnancy and after,” she said.

“Our joint investment in iCOPE is part of a broader commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians. It’s about the right help at the right time, in a way that suits them.”