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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Improving the early detection and referral system of perinatal mental health problems in couples
1
KU Leuven, Development and regeneration woman and child, KU Leuven, Belgium
2
KU Leuven, Neuroscience public health psychiatry & mind - body research, Leuven, Belgium
3
KU Leuven, Development and regeneration women and child, Leuven, Belgium
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A916
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The perinatal period is a transformative phase, characterized by both positive expectations and considerable physical and psychological challenges for women and their partners. This emotional ambivalence can contribute to the emergence of psychological difficulties. Early detection of those perinatal mental health (PMH) problems and appropriate referral to mental health care services for both women and their partners is essential to improve mental well-being, maternal-and fetal health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to optimize the early detection and referral process for PMH problems in Belgium by identifying existing practices, systematic gaps, and opportunities within the current mental health care system.
METHODS:
An explanatory sequential design was applied: (1) healthcare providers registered the available PMH care services, following a bottom-up approach. (2) A systematic monitoring of perinatal mental health referrals was conducted, whereby providers completed a brief survey for each PMH-related referral from a woman or her partner, during a defined period (June 2025). (3) To qualitatively complement these data, focus groups were conducted to explore health care providers’ perceived challenges in the early detection and referral of PMH problems in couples.
RESULTS:
Initial findings will include existing gaps within the care system for PMH problems, through the analysis of, among other factors, referral waiting times and the characteristics of women or partners who do not receive the care they require. As a result, targeted recommendations will be made by stakeholders to enhance the accessibility of the system.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study will support the development of evidence-based policy and practice in the early detection and referral of PMH problems. This methodology will be repeated in the future to assess whether the recommendations derived from the results have been successfully implemented.
KEY MESSAGE:
This study will create sustainable improvement of the mental health care system by implementing the stakeholder - informed and evidence based recommendations. Poster session 4 (Group B)
The perinatal period is a transformative phase, characterized by both positive expectations and considerable physical and psychological challenges for women and their partners. This emotional ambivalence can contribute to the emergence of psychological difficulties. Early detection of those perinatal mental health (PMH) problems and appropriate referral to mental health care services for both women and their partners is essential to improve mental well-being, maternal-and fetal health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to optimize the early detection and referral process for PMH problems in Belgium by identifying existing practices, systematic gaps, and opportunities within the current mental health care system.
METHODS:
An explanatory sequential design was applied: (1) healthcare providers registered the available PMH care services, following a bottom-up approach. (2) A systematic monitoring of perinatal mental health referrals was conducted, whereby providers completed a brief survey for each PMH-related referral from a woman or her partner, during a defined period (June 2025). (3) To qualitatively complement these data, focus groups were conducted to explore health care providers’ perceived challenges in the early detection and referral of PMH problems in couples.
RESULTS:
Initial findings will include existing gaps within the care system for PMH problems, through the analysis of, among other factors, referral waiting times and the characteristics of women or partners who do not receive the care they require. As a result, targeted recommendations will be made by stakeholders to enhance the accessibility of the system.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study will support the development of evidence-based policy and practice in the early detection and referral of PMH problems. This methodology will be repeated in the future to assess whether the recommendations derived from the results have been successfully implemented.
KEY MESSAGE:
This study will create sustainable improvement of the mental health care system by implementing the stakeholder - informed and evidence based recommendations. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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