Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) and Why it Matters

If you are a parent, you may have experienced the anxiety and stress that often comes after the addition of a child. The stressors and mood swings surrounding that adjustment period are completely normal and expected. But, what happens when those worries and anxieties don’t go away? Or they become so disruptive that they’re impacting your everyday functioning? When that happens, you may discover that you have a Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder (also known as a PMAD).

Prevalence

After the birth of my son in 2019, I became one of those people. My son was a “hard” baby – he struggled to eat well, to sleep well, and he screamed a LOT. I really struggled to adjust to my life as a new mom and caregiver to this child whom I felt like I just could not comfort. Days went by after he was born, and then weeks, and then months, and I started to feel like a shell of my former self. When my son was a couple of months old, a neighbor pulled me aside after witnessing me on the verge of a breakdown after what felt like the millionth time my son had an inconsolable crying fit, and told me, “You really don’t seem like yourself. Are you okay?” It was then when I realized that I was not, in fact, okay, and that I needed help. As many as 1 in 7 women and 1 in 10 men struggle with a PMAD immediately before or after the addition of a new child like I did, which means thousands of new parents each year may be dealing with symptoms of postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, or even postpartum psychosis. In fact, according to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 400,000 infants each year are born to mothers who are depressed, making perinatal depression the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America. PMADs do not discriminate and can impact anyone, regardless of age, race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.

How do you know if you might have a PMAD?

The “perinatal” period refers to the time during a pregnancy, and up to the first year after giving birth or adopting a child. During that time, many women and birthing parents experience mood swings called the “baby blues,” which can start around 3-5 days after birth and last up to around two weeks. If you or a loved one notice that after that initial period of time you are struggling with severe mood swings, frequent feelings of worry or sadness, intrusive thoughts that just won’t go away, or even thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, know you are not alone, but that it is important to seek outside help. Many pediatricians and OBs offer screenings for PMADs and may be able to connect you to local resources, or you may reach out yourself to a specialized organization such as Postpartum Support International that provides free services to people experiencing PMADs including free virtual support groups and specialized coordinators.

Perinatal Mental Health-Certification

After serving the perinatal population for many years, the organization Postpartum Support International realized that there was a need for specialized training for providers who work with and treat people with PMADs, and in 2018, they created the Perinatal Mental Health-Certification (PMH-C) training program and certification. There are three general groups of providers that can get a PMH-C:

1. Mental Health/Psychotherapy
2. Psychopharmacology—Prescribers (e.g. psychiatrists, OB/GYN, family medicine, NPs, pharmacists)
3. Affiliated Professions—Peer supporters, nurses, doulas, support group leaders, OT, PT, dieticians, and others.

To qualify, candidates need to complete: 1) minimum 2 years of practice in their profession, 2) have the required education and credentials, and 3) complete evidence-based perinatal mental health training.

Why does it matter?

Knowing and understanding what a PMH-C is can help you recognize when someone is trained to be sensitive to perinatal mental health. Whether the person you are working with is a therapist, a doula, a doctor, etc., seeing those letters let you know that this person has been specially trained and certified to understand the basics and specific struggles of PMADs and listen non-judgmentally to your struggles. Having gone through the struggles of having a PMAD myself, I can personally attest to how beneficial it is to connect with someone who understands the hardships and nuances of this period of life.

If you are struggling with the adjustment of becoming a new parent like I was (whether it’s the first time or the 5th time), or think you might have a PMAD, know that you don’t have to face this alone. At Thrive for Life Counseling, we provide compassionate, professional, and fully virtual therapy services to support you through life’s challenges. As a personal survivor of postpartum depression and a certified and trained perinatal mental health provider, I am here to listen, guide, and serve as that non-judgmental voice to help you navigate the waters of the changes that come as a parent. I welcome clients from Indiana and Florida, and accept most major insurance plans. Reach out today for a consultation or appointment with me to begin your journey towards healing in the perinatal period.

 Author

Andrea Aichele, LCSW, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker with specialized training in perinatal mental health. As a certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor, she has a deep understanding of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD). Andrea is passionate about supporting individuals through the complexities of mental health with a compassionate and evidence-based approach. 

References:

-Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. (2010). Prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Retrieved from https://www.postpartum.net

-Professional and Perinatal Resources. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.postpartum.net

-Henry Ford Health (2019). Baby Blues Vs Postpartum Depression: How To Tell The Difference. Retrieved from www.henryford.com