Perinatal Depression Provider Consultation Line

 What is the Perinatal Depression Provider Consultation Line?

A partnership between the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, United Way of Connecticut/2-1-1 and the Yale School of Medicine’s Perinatal Depression Program (Psychiatrist Dr. Kimberly Yonkers and her staff); the Perinatal Depression Provider Consultation Line is a pilot project and telephone line for healthcare providers with clinical inquiries about depression during and around the time of pregnancy (“perinatal depression”).  The non-crisis service provides consultation, information and resources regarding symptoms of perinatal depression, treatment possibilities, and available community resources.  The service does not provide diagnostic information. 

 How Do I Access the service?

• Dial 2-1-1 and Press 2, then 4 off the menu tree or 
• Call Child Development Infoline directly at 1-800-505-7000

Who Should Call?

Any physical or behavioral healthcare provider requesting clinical consultation about perinatal depression.  For example:

• What risks and benefits should I consider when prescribing medications to a pregnant depressed woman?
• I have a patient who is crying at every visit.  Could she have depression?
• What questionnaires could help me screen my pregnant patients for depression?
• How might implementing a structured questionnaire impact my obstetrical practice?
• Where can I find treatment for a pregnant woman who has depression?

 Is There a Fee for Using the Perinatal Depression Consultation Line?

No.  Consultation services are 100% funded by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health through DHHS/HRSA. 

What Can I Expect When I Call?

Your call will first route you through a Care Coordinator at 2-1-1 Child Development Infoline.  Care Coordinators are trained to briefly assess and triage your questions. The Care Coordinator will ask all callers a few questions (see back for the specific list) that will be shared with a mental health clinician at Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Perinatal Depression Program. A Yale clinician will contact you to discuss your questions within 2 hours of your call to 2-1-1 or, depending on the time of day you contact Child Development Infoline, the morning of the next business day. You will also receive a follow-up call 2-3 weeks later to determine your satisfaction with the service and if you need any additional resources.  All callers will be mailed a perinatal depression provider toolkit.

When Can I Call?

Care Coordinators are available Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm.  The project is funded through December 2008.  There is no limit to how often you can call.

Can I have My Client/Patient Call Herself?

No. The provider consultation line is a professional service for healthcare providers.   However, depending on any additional needs of the woman (and her family) for whom you are seeking clinical assistance, a Care Coordinator may also encourage you to have your client/patient call 2-1-1 directly for assistance around basic needs and/or support services. 2-1-1 is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

• Your name
• Your practice specialty
• Your practice address and telephone number (for one follow-up quality control call only)
• Reason for consultation request
• De-identified information about the patient/client, including her town of residence, her insurance, her age, her due date or delivery date, her race/ethnicity and her primary language.
• The patient/client’s behavioral health history, to the extent that you know this information
• Any additional referral resources which may be helpful to you

If your call is linked to the Provider Consultation Line, Mental Health Clinicians will ask these follow-up questions: 

• Patient/client level of functioning, as impacted by her possible depression symptoms
• Impact of patient/client’s depression symptoms on her obstetrical/gynecological health
• Specific problematic symptom presentation
• Specific medication regimen, if applicable
• Specific talk therapy regimen, if applicable

Looking for more information about the Perinatal Depression Provider Consultation Line?

Are you a perinatal healthcare provider?

Consider attending a local inservice in your area.

Our talk schedule is as follows:

3/24/08 – Naugatuck Valley OB/Gyn ,133 Scovill Street, Ste. 303, Waterbury, CT  06706

3/27/08 – Alliance for Women’s Health, 4749 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT  06606

3/31/08 – Women’s Health Center of Putnam, 340 Pomfret Street, Putnam, CT  06260

4/22/08 – Depts OB-Gyn and Pediatrics Grand Rounds Series

In consultation with the Susan E. Rosen Women’s Health Center, 67 Maple Ave, Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT  06418       

4/29/08 – Women’s Health Center, Pediatric Health Care, 4 Corporate Drive, Ste. 484, Shelton, CT                 

4/30/08 – Manchester OB/Gyn, 388 West Center Street, Manchester, CT  06040

5/14/08 – OB-Gyn Services, 330 Washington Street, Ste. 340, Backus Hospital, Norwich, CT  06360

5/16/08 – Physicians for Women/Women’s Health USA (27 practices)

Courtyard by Marriott, Salons AB, 63 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT

5/22/08- Hartford Hospital ,  Women’s Health Center Business Meeting speaker series

6/4/08 – Southwest Community Health Ctr & Bpt Alliance for Young Children- Ob/Gyn, Pedi & Behav Health

968 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT  06605  

6/4/08 – Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605

6/17/08 - Affiliated Clinical Therapists, 770 Saybrook Road, Middletown, CT  06457

6/26/08 - Norwalk Community Health Center, 121 Water St, Norwalk, CT

7/7/08 – Danbury Hospital OB-Gyn Dept. – Grand Rounds, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT  06810

7/15/08 – Saint Raphael Healthcare System/OB-GYN Dept.

The Hospital of St. Raphael, 1450 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT  06511

7/16/08 – Norwalk Hospital OB/Gyn Dept. Business Meeting Presentation

Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street,  Norwalk, CT

7/16/08 – Live Teleconference

Physicians for Women/Women's Health USA network
attendees can download the talk from the "featured links" off the dph website  http://www.ct.gov/dph/site/default.asp .

9/12/08- Dr. Simpson (New London)

9/19/08- New Haven Health Department

10/1/08-Grand Rounds Norwalk Hospital

10/23/08- Department of Children and Families, 250 Hamilton Street , Hartford, CT.

10/24/08- Yale-New Haven Hospital Pediatric Residents

10/24/08-Prohealth Middlesex Family Physicians and Middlesex Pediatrics, 400 Saybrook Road, Middletown, CT

10/28/08- CT Behavioral Health Partnership, 500 Enterprise Dr., Suite 4D Rocky Hill, CT  06557

11/19/08-Yale Health Plan 

11/20/08- Stamford Pediatric Group, Dr. Paule Couture, Stamford, CT

For further details, visit  www.infoline.org or email Megan