Recent strategies in perinatal mental health care in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, perinatal mental disorders are recognized as significant complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Left untreated, maternal mental disorders can lead to serious social and physical problems in mothers, including suicide, child abuse, and child neglect. A number of steps in perinatal mental health care can be taken to help mothers remain emotionally balanced during pregnancy and after childbirth. Active interventions mediated by cooperation among professionals from multiple fields will decrease the incidence of serious problems associated with maternal mental disorders.