laytonh@mcmaster.ca

Postpartum depression (PPD) typically affects up to 20% of women, however, only 1 in

10 women receive evidence-based care. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerabilities in social and economic systems that lead to inequalities for mothers with mental health problems and their children, worsening unintended systematic biases that exist within the healthcare system.

 

Group psychotherapy is preferred by many women for the support, symptom normalization, and opportunity to learn via modeling it provides. It reduces the profound social isolation and loneliness women are experiencing, increases connectedness, empowers women to give and receive care, and grows the support networks these mothers need during COVID-19. However, most women cannot attend 12-15 weekly sessions, and so a shift toward interventions that safely reach large numbers of sufferers with maximum efficiency is needed.

 

In this randomized controlled trial that aims to assess the impact of a 1-Day CBT-Based Workshop, participants with PPD are assigned to either the experimental (immediate treatment) or waitlist control group (treatment 12 weeks later) and are then compared in terms of changes in depression and anxiety, mother-infant attachment, service utilization, quality of life, and offspring behaviour.

 

If this intervention is eventually proven effective, more women would receive treatment and the burden of PPD on women and their families would be significantly reduced.