• Helen Chen, Tze-Ern Chua, Theresa Mei Ying Lee, Elizabeth Junpei Siak, Lin Feng Hong, Ying Chia Ch'ng, Hassan Yasmin, Cornelia Yin-Ing Chee, Yee Ming Mok, Say How Ong, Victor Samuel Rajadurai, Tiong Ghee Teoh, Vasuki Utravathy, Kok Hian Tan, and Lay Kok Tan.
• Department of Psychological Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
• Ann Acad Med Singap. 2023 Sep 27; 52 (9): 467475467-475.

IntroductionPerinatal depression and anxiety are public health concerns affecting approximately 1 in 10 women in Singapore, with clear evidence of association with various adverse outcomes in mother and child, including low birthweight, preterm birth and negative impact on infant neurodevelopment, temperament and behaviour. A workgroup was formed to develop recommendations to address the perinatal mental health needs of women with depression and anxiety. The approach was broad-based and aimed to incorporate holistic methods that would be readily applicable to the network of care providers supporting childbearing women.MethodThe Grading and Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence to Decision framework was employed to draw these guidelines. Workgroup members-comprising experts in the field of perinatal mental health and obstetric medicine-deliberated on the public health needs of the target population, and reviewed literature published from 2001 to 2022 that were relevant to improve the well-being of women with depression and anxiety during the preconception and perinatal periods.ResultsA consensus meeting was held involving a wider professional network, including family physicians, paediatricians, psychiatrists, social services and the Health Promotion Board in Singapore.ConclusionTen consensus statements were developed, focusing on the overall aim of achieving optimal perinatal mental health for women with depression and anxiety. They relate to awareness and advice on preconception mental health, screening and assessment, optimising care and treatment. Special considerations were recommended for women who suffered severe maternal events, tailoring care for adolescents and women with special needs, and addressing infant mental health needs.

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