Working Moms Less Likely to Receive Depression Treatment
An analysis of national data on 2,130 mothers conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine found that working mothers were less likely to receive adequate treatment for their depression.
A possible reason suggested for why these women do not receive the treatment they need is that they work long hours, making it difficult for them to find the time to seek help.
It was also suggested by the report that, because of women's difficulties in finding time to seek help, the workplace would be a useful location to provide depression intervention. "Services like employee-assistance programs can help these mothers get screened and treated, even if they are unable to visit a provider or a mental health professional in the health-care setting," said study co-author Kristin Litzelman. "Since healthy employees are productive employees, it's often a win-win for the employers to offer benefits that support employee mental health."
The researchers noted that maternal depression has a strong impact on the well-being of the children cared for by the depressed mother, so workplace interventions could improve the family's health as well.
The researchers also found that black, Hispanic and other minority women were less likely to receive adequate treatment. "Health-care providers need to understand the racial, ethnic and educational disparities that affect treatment of mothers with depression," wrote the authors, "in order to intervene and help these patients get the care they need."
In addition, the authors reported that mothers with health insurance were three times more likely to receive adequate treatment than those without insurance. "Health insurance facilitates access to adequate treatment for maternal depression. Expanding health insurance coverage to mothers with depression is a critical step in helping them to get the care they need," said study author Dr. Whitney P. Witt, an assistant professor of population health sciences, in a press release from the university.
The study will appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research.
I think programs like employee-assistance programs at work are helpful, but the biggest issue is realizing that you need help or that getting help can make your life so much easier. I also think that many people are afraid or ashamed to use an employee-assistance program or think it will somehow leak out and their employer will find out and think they are a less valuable employee. Austin Nanny
informative post about depression you have updated thanks for sharing with us
While time and lack of health plans are definitely a problem, my biggest stumbling block was my personal doctor. The hospital sent him a letter saying I needed ongoing treatment, and even sent a list of doctors he could refer me to. He, however, took umbrage at being told what his patient needed by another doctor and never did get me the referral I needed in order to have the treatment covered by my health plan. In fact, he only referred me to those I would have had to pay, and I could not afford it. Last thing I needed at the time was extra financial pressures on top of all the other pressures that had triggered this particular bout of depression.
As a small business owner, I’m a member of the Healthy New York plan. Problem is, HNY doesn’t cover drugs for depression. If I put a bullet in my brain, they’ll pay to have it removed, sure, and all the years of follow-up care, but they don’t pay for “mood disorder” drugs. When the pharmacist told me that, I thought she was joking. I take both Welbutrin and Lexapro – even using generic, it’s $300 a month.
Money is my biggest obstacle in getting treatment. I can’t afford the copays for a therapist, or the drugs. Plus most insurance plans only cover so many visits per year. I feel I need to see the therapist more than once a month to retain the therapy.
When I didn’t have insurance at all, I forgot treatment altogether. The meds cost way too much and so does therapy.
I seem to have trouble going when I am feeling well. The emotional roller coaster is on the upswing.
If my insurance covered mental health in a meaningful way, I’d be going weekly to see a cognitive behavioral therapist. Hell, probably bi or tri weekly for the first month. Instead, I get to do this all by myself. Good thing I like to read.
Health insurance my a$$.
R
I dont like moms to work , because they are equal to god, so must give respect, if a situation she is working means, we must cope up with her.