Tamil Nadu Trains Nurses for Maternal Mental Health

Tamil Nadu is launching the 'Thai Manam' project, a new initiative to bolster perinatal mental healthcare at the primary level. This program involves training Village Health Nurses (VHNs) and medical officers to screen pregnant women for mental health issues, particularly depression, during their antenatal and postnatal phases.

The pilot phase will occur in four blocks within the Villupuram district: Kanai, Koliyanur, Vallam, and Mugaiyur. This collaborative effort includes the Institute of Mental Health, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, and the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

Globally, antenatal depression affects 10-20% of pregnant women. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is utilized for screening. VHNs conduct the initial screening, referring women to medical officers if a potential risk is indicated based on their EPDS score.

Medical officers then assess the risk level, categorizing it as mild, moderate, or severe. Those with moderate risk receive counseling and lifestyle advice, while high-risk cases are referred to the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) team for further care. A critical aspect is immediate referral if self-harm is indicated, regardless of the overall score.