Substance use during pregnancy remains a growing concern, yet stigma and limited access to specialized care often prevent women from getting the help they need. KyCOMPASS provides Kentucky healthcare providers with free resources and referrals to better support pregnant and postpartum patients.
— The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in 2023, 13,650 pregnant women said they used illicit drugs in the last month. Also, 15,180 reported using tobacco products or nicotine vaping, 32,959 reported drinking alcohol, and 671 reported using opioids (including illegally made fentanyl). These are just the known cases as well, so it’s likely that in reality, these numbers are much higher.
There’s already a stigma regarding those who use illicit substances, and even more so for women who are pregnant. The shame of using can make mothers reluctant to seek help, and this can have a detrimental effect not only on their own lives but also on their children’s.
Women already have to go through constant changes in their bodies as they experience pregnancy, and it may not always be pleasant. It can be scary and confusing, especially if they’re lacking a support system, and it’s easy to self-medicate with substances.
Those who recognize that they need to make lifestyle changes may not have the necessary access to help, though. OB/GYNs and other medical professionals may be able to assist with the pregnancy but may have fewer resources for mental health and substance use.
Kentucky Consultation & Outreach Program for Maternal Psychiatry and Support Services (KyCOMPASS) understands that it’s in the best interest of women and their babies to be as healthy as possible, which is why it has a program designed specifically for Kentucky healthcare providers.
It offers provider-to-provider consultations, where healthcare providers are connected with a reproductive psychiatrist. KyCOMPASS is made up of a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals who are dedicated to supporting providers who care for pregnant and postpartum women.
This service gives providers support to help manage the mental health needs of their patients during the perinatal period. For example, they can receive guidance on diagnostic protocols for perinatal mental health disorders and learn how to manage postpartum depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.
Healthcare providers can also learn about co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) and other perinatal mental health concerns. KyCOMPASS can provide them with connections to therapists or SUD treatment centers in their region, too. These include evidence-based therapy and treatment recommendations.
Another valuable offering from KyCOMPASS is access to provider resources. Through the portal, they can access screening tools, diagnostic protocols, and patient education materials.
The best thing about this company is that all of its services are free for healthcare providers to use. This can give them the confidence needed to guide their patients through difficult perinatal times.
The platform is 100% secure and HIPAA-compliant. Providers can find all necessary resources on the website, including information about any upcoming events KyCOMPASS is holding. Offerings include webinars, workshops, toolkits, and screening guides.
About the company: KyCOMPASS (Kentucky Consultation & Outreach Program for Maternal Psychiatry and Support Services) is a statewide initiative dedicated to improving maternal mental health outcomes across Kentucky. Supported by the Kentucky Department for Public Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Contact Info:
Name: Audrey T. Summers
Email: Send Email
Organization: Kentucky Consultation & Outreach for Maternal Psychiatry and Support Services
Website: https://www.kycompass.org/
Release ID: 89192270
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