The Maternal Depression Screening Program (MDSP) involved Help Me Grow home visitors (and other screeners) administering the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to all mothers in the Help Me Grow program. Mothers who score in the clinical range (12 or higher) on the EPDS and/or endorse item 10 on the EPDS, indicating thoughts of self harm, are referred to a partnering county mental health provider for further evaluation and treatment.
How to Use the EPDS - Instructions on how to administer the EPDS.
The original EPDS has varying response formats. We modified the EPDS for use in the MDSP so the response formats are consistent. Wording of items stayed the same. Response formats were changes on the following EPDS items: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Our modified version is consistent with the web-based data system and makes data entry less confusing and more consistent for program participants.
EPDS Reformatted- This is the EPDS. Administer this EPDS to Moms. Please note the only difference from the original EPDS is the response format.
How to Score EPDS- The scoring sheet for the reformatted EPDS. Do not administer this to Moms because the scores are listed.
EPDS used by Ohio Help Me Grow.
Spanish EPDS- Spanish translation of the original EPDS. If you need additional translations, please contact Lisa Connelly and we will check if they are available.
Safety planning if mom endorses EPDS item 10 (thoughts of self harm)
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center has information and material that can be downloaded at no charge and/or purchased through WICHE Mental Health Program.
Ohio Department of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Resources
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
List of Ohio Crisis Hotlines by County
Understanding Maternal Depression, A Fact Sheet includes info on prenatal depression, the "baby blues," postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis is available online and as a printable PDF
Information on postpartum psychosis from Postpartum Support International
Recommended Reading
Cox, J. & Holden, J. (2003). Perinatal mental health: A guide to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Gaskell: Royal College of Psychiatrists.
This text guides health professionals and researchers through the practical uses of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and explores cross-cultural issues, background information on postnatal depression and implications for health service management.
Additional Resources on the EPDS
Illinois Dept of Healthcare and Family Services contains valuable information on the EPDS and Maternal Depression.