Articles | Open Access |

National Implementation of the MumSpace Digital Stepped-Care Model for Perinatal Mental Health Treatment: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Matthew Parker , School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Ruby Anderson , School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Perinatal mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, affect a significant number of women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Timely and effective treatment is essential to promote maternal and infant health. This study explores the national implementation of the MumSpace digital stepped-care model, designed to provide accessible, evidence-based mental health care for perinatal women. The model combines digital interventions with professional support in a stepped-care approach, enabling personalized care at various levels of severity. This study evaluates the model's effectiveness, feasibility, and user experience across a wide population of perinatal women. Results suggest that the MumSpace model significantly improves access to care, offers a scalable solution, and demonstrates positive mental health outcomes, thereby presenting a promising model for national implementation.

Keywords

Perinatal Mental Health, Digital Stepped-Care, Perinatal Depression

References

Gavin, N.I.; Gaynes, B.N.; Lohr, K.N.; Meltzer-Brody, S.; Gartlehner, G.; Swinson, T. Perinatal depression: A systematic review of prevalence and incidence. Obstet. Gynecol. 2005, 106 Pt 1, 1071–1083. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Mitchell, A.R.; Gordon, H.; Lindquist, A.; Walker, S.P.; Homer, C.S.; Middleton, A.; Cluver, C.A.; Tong, S.; Hastie, R. Prevalence of perinatal depression in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2023, 80, 425–431. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Wang, Z.; Liu, J.; Shuai, H.; Cai, Z.; Fu, X.; Liu, Y.; Xiao, X.; Zhang, W.; Krabbendam, E.; Liu, S.; et al. Mapping global prevalence of depression among postpartum women. Transl. Psychiatry 2021, 11, 543. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Woody, C.; Ferrari, A.; Siskind, D.; Whiteford, H.; Harris, M. A systematic review and meta-regression of the prevalence and incidence of perinatal depression. J. Affect. Disord. 2017, 219, 86–92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Slomian, J.; Honvo, G.; Emonts, P.; Reginster, J.-Y.; Bruyère, O. Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes. Women’s Health 2019, 15, 1745506519844044. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Ansari, N.S.; Shah, J.; Dennis, C.L.; Shah, P.S. Risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms among fathers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 2021, 100, 1186–1199. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Milgrom, J.; Westley, D.T.; Gemmill, A.W. The mediating role of maternal responsiveness in some longer term effects of postnatal depression on infant development. Infant. Behav. Dev. 2004, 27, 443–454. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

O’Donnell, K.; Glover, V.; Barker, E.D.; O’Connor, T.G. The persisting effect of maternal mood in pregnancy on childhood psychopathology. Dev. Psychopathol. 2014, 26, 393–403. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Capron, L.E.; Glover, V.; Pearson, R.M.; Evans, J.; O’Connor, T.G.; Stein, A.; Murphy, S.E.; Ramchandani, P.G. Associations of maternal and paternal antenatal mood with offspring anxiety disorder at age 18 years. J. Affect. Disord. 2015, 187, 20–26. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Rogers, A.; Obst, S.; Teague, S.J.; Rossen, L.; Spry, E.A.; Macdonald, J.A.; Sunderland, M.; Olsson, C.A.; Youssef, G.; Hutchinson, D. Association between maternal perinatal depression and anxiety and child and adolescent development: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2020, 174, 1082–1092. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Bauer, A.; Parsonage, M.; Knapp, M.; Iemmi, V.; Adelaja, B. The Costs of Perinatal Mental Health Problems; London School of Economics and the Centre for Mental Health: London, UK, 2014. [Google Scholar]

Gidget Foundation Australia. The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia; PwC Consulting: Melbourne, Australia, 2019. [Google Scholar]

National Mental Health Commission. Contributing Lives, Thriving Communities—Report of the National Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services; National Mental Health Commission: Canberra, Australia, 2015. [Google Scholar]

Dagher, R.K.; Bruckheim, H.E.; Colpe, L.J.; Edwards, E.; White, D.B. Perinatal depression: Challenges and opportunities. J. Women’s Health 2021, 30, 154–159. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Khan, L. Falling Through the Gaps: Perinatal Mental Health and General Practice; Harvard Chan School Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health: Boston, MA, USA, 2015. [Google Scholar]

The Victorian Government. Review of Perinatal Mental Health Screening Approaches; Department of Health: Melbourne, Australia, 2024. [Google Scholar]

Milgrom, J.; Gemmill, A.W. Screening for perinatal depression. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Obstet. Gynaecol. 2014, 28, 13–23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Gavin, N.; Meltzer-Brody, S.; Glover, V.; Gaynes, B. Is population-based identification of perinatal depression and anxiety desirable? A public health perspective on the perinatal depression care continuum. In Identifying Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: Evidence-Based Practice in Screening, Psychosocial Assessment and Management; Milgrom, J., Gemmill, A., Eds.; Wiley: Chichester, UK, 2015. [Google Scholar]

Cox, E.Q.; Sowa, N.A.; Meltzer-Brody, S.E.; Gaynes, B.N. The Perinatal Depression Treatment Cascade: Baby Steps Toward Improving Outcomes. J. Clin. Psychiatry 2016, 77, 1189–1200. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Dossett, E.C.; Stuebe, A.; Dillion, T.; Tabb, K.M. Perinatal mental health: The need for broader understanding and policies that meet the challenges: Commentary examines perinatal mental health policies and challenges. Health Aff. 2024, 43, 462–469. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

The Lancet Regional Health-Europe. Support not stigma: Redefining perinatal mental health care. Lancet Reg. Health-Eur. 2024, 40, 100930. [Google Scholar]

Bilszta, J.; Ericksen, J.; Buist, A.; Milgrom, J. Women’s experiences of postnatal depression—Beleifs and attitudes as barriers to care. Aust. J. Adv. Nurs. 2010, 27, 44–54. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Danaher, B.G.; Milgrom, J.; Seeley, J.R.; Stuart, S.; Schembri, C.; Tyler, M.S.; Ericksen, J.; Lester, W.; Gemmill, A.W.; Kosty, D.B.; et al. MomMoodBooster web-based intervention for postpartum depression: Feasibility trial results. J. Med. Internet Res. 2013, 15, e242. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Milgrom, J.; Danaher, B.G.; Gemmill, A.W.; Holt, C.; Holt, C.J.; Seeley, J.R.; Tyler, M.S.; Ross, J.; Ericksen, J. Internet Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Women with Postnatal Depression: A randomised controlled trial of MumMoodBooster. J. Med. Internet Res. 2016, 18, e54. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Milgrom, J.; Danaher, B.G.; Seeley, J.R.; Holt, C.J.; Holt, C.; Ericksen, J.; Tyler, M.S.; Gau, J.M.; Gemmill, A.W. Internet and Face-to-face Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postnatal Depression Compared With Treatment as Usual: Randomized Controlled Trial of MumMoodBooster. J. Med. Internet Res. 2021, 23, e17185. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

Article Statistics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Copyright License

Download Citations

How to Cite

Matthew Parker, & Ruby Anderson. (2025). National Implementation of the MumSpace Digital Stepped-Care Model for Perinatal Mental Health Treatment: A Comprehensive Evaluation. International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health Research, 6(03), 1–5. Retrieved from https://ijmsphr.com/index.php/ijmsphr/article/view/177