BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Leaders at Woman’s Hospital are reminding mothers about a unique mental health resource.
The hospital has a perinatal mental health unit. It provides treatment for women dealing with psychiatric disorders who require impatient treatment during pregnancy, through one year postpartum, or following a pregnancy loss.
The unit is being highlighted during May, which is also Mental Health Awareness Month.
One in seven women will face mental health conditions like perinatal and postpartum depression, and birth-related PTSD.
The perinatal mental health unit is the only one of its kind in Louisiana. Woman’s Hospital leaders said they’re hope is to provide some much needed support and hope for people in need.
“Mental health conditions are stigmatized. And then when you’re pregnant or a postpartum mom, it’s even more so,” said Cheri Johnson, the executive vice president and chief nursing officer for Woman’s Hospital. “Having access to help in a very fragile and sensitive time in your life is imperative.”
Many women suffer in silence and don’t reach out to ask for care. Mental health conditions faced by mothers are left untreated 85 percent of the time.
“This is really important to not only normalize asking for help, but also being able to cater to those unique needs that these moms and pregnant women have,” Johnson explained.
Women who seek treatment at the Woman’s Hospital perinatal mental health unit will have an initial assessment, which will lead to a personal treatment plan. Some of that activities that patients may participate in include recreational therapy and individual and group psychotherapy sessions.
Hospital officials said they want to provide women with the important care they need while in the unit and provide a plan for patients to leave with and feel relieved.
“A lot of times, they’re coming in extremely overwhelmed. They’ve exhausted a lot of their own resources in order to seek care, and they’re coming in, and they’re ready to receive help,” said Bianca Glueck, the clinical director for the Woman’s Hospital perinatal mental health unit. “They’re stressed out. They’re scared.”
There are 10 private inpatient rooms, large and small group activity rooms, and a secure terrace at the perinatal mental health unit. Patient rooms include a single bed, television, desk, rocking chair, private bathroom, and more.
If someone needs care, they should reach out to their provider or Woman’s Hospital directly.
For anyone facing an urgent mental health crisis, there is hope and help available. You can dial 988 to be connected with a mental health professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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