Improving mental health care for mothers in children's hospitals

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Learning Laboratory in a Freestanding Children's Hospital

NIH-funded research Children's National Medical Center · NIH-10930044

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's National Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Washington, United States)
Project IDNIH-10930044 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are mothers of infants who are receiving care in the NICU or those visiting the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Washington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.