Community-based perinatal depression services for African American women: the healthy start model

A variety of factors place African American women at risk for depression. Unfortunately, a behavioral health system insensitive to these women's needs exacerbates their risk. Recent reports recommended that mental health services be accessible and acceptable to women of color and include comprehensive, culturally appropriate case management. The federal Healthy Start Initiative, a national maternal and child health program to reduce infant mortality and low birth weight, is an often-overlooked resource for responding to perinatal depression among African American women. Pittsburgh/Allegheny and Fayette County Healthy Start, Inc., offers a case example of the Healthy Start model to address depression.