Improving mental health care for mothers in children's hospitals
Official title: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Learning Laboratory in a Freestanding Children's Hospital
Funded at Children's National Medical Center · NIH-10930044 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to help new moms who might be feeling sad or anxious after having a baby, especially those whose little ones are in the NICU or Pediatric Emergency Department, by creating a better way to quickly find and provide the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's National Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $458,758 |
| NIH project number | 5R18HS029458-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930044 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers of infants who are receiving care in the NICU or those visiting the Pediatric Emergency Department.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mothers or those who do not have infants in the care of the children's hospital may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing postpartum depression (PPD) by creating a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Learning Laboratory within a children's hospital. It aims to implement timely screening and treatment for mothers, particularly those in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Emergency Department (PED), who are at high risk for PPD. The project will develop a streamlined system for screening, referral, and treatment, making mental health services more accessible and efficient for new mothers. By utilizing a systems engineering approach, the research seeks to enhance clinical recognition and therapy for PPD, ultimately improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide timely and effective mental health support for mothers experiencing postpartum depression, leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and their infants.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in implementing integrated mental health care approaches in pediatric settings, indicating that this method could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's National Medical Center
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Soghier, Lamia — Children's National Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Soghier, Lamia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Care Lab to help families after childbirth
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A study at a major hospital will test whether a breathing-linked ear nerve stimulation helps mood and brain signals differently for men and women with major depression.
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This program is creating easy, one-stop screening and treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety for parents whose babies are treated at a children's hospital.
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Stepped care for pregnancy-related mood and anxiety for women with HIV in Kenya
This project brings routine mental-health screening, brief counseling, and remote psychiatric care together to help pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in Kenyan clinics who have depression or anxiety.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.