NeuroFlow and ChristianaCare Partner to Enhance Maternal Mental Health Screening

In a significant move to address the critical issue of maternal mental health, behavioral health technology company NeuroFlow has announced a collaboration with ChristianaCare, a Delaware-based health system. This partnership aims to improve mental health screening and support for pregnant and postpartum patients across ChristianaCare's network.

Expanding Access to Mental Health Resources

The collaboration will leverage NeuroFlow's advanced platform to offer standardized mental health screenings to patients at ChristianaCare's OB-GYN clinics. Pregnant and postpartum individuals will have free access to personalized educational content covering a wide range of topics related to maternal mental health.

Dr. Tom Zaubler, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at NeuroFlow, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "No matter how well staffed they are, no one has the resources to take care of everyone endorsing a mental health problem." This partnership seeks to address this gap by providing continuous support between appointments and proactively identifying patients who may need additional assistance.

Addressing a Critical Healthcare Need

The collaboration comes at a crucial time, as statistics reveal a significant gap in maternal mental health care. According to recent data:

• 75% of pregnant individuals affected by mental health symptoms do not receive care
• Only three states (California, West Virginia, and Florida) mandate OB providers to screen for mental health issues during pregnancy and link screening with state support services

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends screening for depression and anxiety across prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum visits. This partnership between NeuroFlow and ChristianaCare aims to align with these recommendations and improve overall maternal health outcomes.

Implementation and Future Expansion

Initially, the NeuroFlow platform will be available to patients across 15 ChristianaCare OB-GYN clinics. The health system, which delivers more than 6,000 babies annually, plans to expand the program to its hospitals and the multidisciplinary Center for Women's Emotional Wellness in the future.

The collaboration includes several key features:

• Customizable screening protocols determined by ChristianaCare
• Real-time mood, stress, and sleep tracking through ecological momentary assessments
• Safety protocols for high-acuity needs, including immediate clinical team notifications and emergency resource recommendations
• Follow-up calls for suicide safety assessments when necessary

As maternal mental health continues to be a pressing concern in healthcare, this partnership between NeuroFlow and ChristianaCare represents a significant step towards improving screening, support, and overall care for pregnant and postpartum patients.