today, researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne warn that the screening tools are imperfect and there is a risk of focusing too much on providing interventions such as antidepressants and CBT rather than exploring broader psychosocial issues such as partner violence, co-morbid health problems and housing.

The National Perinatal Depression Plan announced in the recent budget  proposes to introduce routine screening during pregnancy and after birth. But the researchers say there is little evidence to support such interventions, with screening tools producing high rates of false positives and negatives for depression. They say screening has potential to do harm, with many women being upset at being labeled as having a mental health problem and reluctant to discuss mental health issues with antenatal care providers.

The screening plan is not clear about whether it is aimed at identifying women with depression or those at risk of depression, and there is also a lack of clarity about how women identified as being at risk should be managed, the article says.

It also notes that the framework of perinatal care in Australia is fragmented and most women lose touch with their antenatal care provider, unless this is provided by a GP. Therefore, the authors suggest that GPs would be better placed to provide follow up care, but this would require a new approach, such as providing for longer consultation times, they say.