Perinatal Primary Care Depression
Screening And Treatment Project
HRSA HEALTHY START INITIATIVE CFDA# 93-926L

The fundamental purpose of this project is to address the problem of postpartum depression (PPD) in the District of Columbia. With the support of a four year grant*, FMHF will work to increase community awareness of PPD and to improve the well being of women and their infant children, and – by extension – entire families.

Proper screening and early intervention in the course of PPD will help to decrease tragedies for new mothers by providing community support during a critical period in their lives.

The Perinatal Primary Care Depression Screening and Treatment Project has several components:

Consortium a culturally competent, community-based group of agencies that collaborate on education issues and outreach to pregnant and postpartum women.

Routine Screening for PPD and mental health referral in two primary care settings: The George Washington University Pediatrics Department and Georgetown University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Women will be screened for depression using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale.

Women at the participating sites that are diagnosed with PPD will also receive comprehensive case-management and follow-up by a social worker for up to two years.

Health Education for providers, patients, and the general community about the prevention and treatment of perinatal depression.


*Project STH-1 H78 MC 0032-01 from the Healthy Start Initiative, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.