Community Health Workers (CHWs) in OB Clinics: Expanding Maternal Mental Health Care

This pilot study examines whether embedding community health workers (CHWs) in Ob/Gyn clinics can expand clinical capacity to screen for and treat maternal mental health disorders by strengthening behavioral health integration. Integrating behavioral health into obstetric care is critical for mothers, as many experience mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum but face delays in follow-up, limited access to providers, and fragmented care after screening. Conducted in partnership with CommonSpirit Health and supported by funding from the Cigna Foundation, the California Health Care Foundation, The Flourish Impact Fund, and the Klingenstein Foundation, this research focuses on improving timely, coordinated maternal mental health care within routine Ob/Gyn settings.

Working with two CommonSpirit Health clinics, CHWs support Ob/Gyns and their patients by following up on screenings, providing brief interventions, collaborating with patients and providers on treatment planning, and coordinating care across services. Planning began in 2024, with the pilot launching in 2025. Findings and recommendations will be shared in forthcoming reports to inform best practices for behavioral health integration in Ob/Gyn care.