Mental health service utilization in a novel insurance-based Ob/Gyn integrated model for women across the lifespan

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra

Women’s Mental Health @Obstetrics and Gynecology (WMH @Ob/Gyn) is an insurance-based clinical model embedded in obstetrics and gynecology practices to expand access to mental healthcare across the lifespan. The model provides screening, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and support groups, with referral driven by patient request, clinician observation, and universal depression screening results. This prospective observational cohort study evaluates utilization rates after real-world implementation. Outcomes focus on initiation and sustained engagement with mental health services, examining rates across referred women and factors affecting sustainment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods

Study design and cohort

Data sources and outcomes

Results

Referral and utilization rates

Factors associated with sustainment

Conclusion

Article highlights

Keywords

Archives of Women's Mental Health (2026) 29:5 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-025-01652-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-025-01652-4) RESEARCH Mental health service utilization in a novel insurance-based Ob/Gyn integrated model for women across the lifespan Andréane Lavallée1 · Vanessa Babineau2 · Kristina D’Antonio3 · Elizabeth Werner2 · Andrew T. Drysdale4,5 · Madalyn Osbourne3 · Myrriam Grubb3 · Nathalie Moise6 · Inbal Reuveni7,8 · Zhijun Zhang9 · Seonjoo Lee10,11 · Dani Dumitriu1,11 · Mary D’Alton3 · Catherine Monk2,11 Received: 23 July 2025 / Accepted: 26 November 2025 / Published online: 5 January 2026 © The Author(s) 2026 Abstract Purpose Women’s Mental Health @Obstetrics and Gynecology (WMH @Ob/Gyn) is a novel, insurance-based clinical model integrated in Ob/Gyn practices that offers approachable, acceptable, available, and affordable mental healthcare to women across the lifespan. Women seen by Ob/Gyn physicians for physical healthcare needs are referred to theWMH @Ob/ Gyn service based on patient request, provider observation, and/or results on universal depression screening. WMH@Ob/ Gyn’ services include mental health screening, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and support groups, all embedded into Ob/Gyn. Here, we sought to evaluate utilization rates of mental health services as an outcome of increased access resulting from real-world implementation ofWMH @Ob/Gyn. Methods This prospective observational cohort study followed all patients referred to WMH @Ob/Gyn from 02/2020 to 12/2022 . Data were obtained from a clinical registry and patient electronic health records. Utilization was estimated on initiation (proportion of women who attended at least one mental health visit), and sustainment (proportion of women who attended three or more visits) . Results 2,661 women were referred to WMH @Ob/Gyn; 65% initiated, out of which 36% sustained treatment. Hispanic/ Latina/Spanish women were less likely to initiate treatment. Of those who initiated, women whose insurance was non-participating in mental healthcare, women that were not pregnant, and younger women, had lower odds of sustaining treatment. Conclusion WMH @Ob/Gyn facilitates the initiation and sustainment of mental health treatment at rates considerably higher than those observed in comparable perinatal-integrated programs or the general population. However, persistent systemic barriers, including disparities in physical and mental health insurance coverage, continue to constrain equitable, sustained access to mental healthcare. Article highlights ● WMH @Ob/Gyn is an Ob/Gyn integrated mental health service available to women of all ages referred by their Ob/Gyn provider. ● As a result of increased access to services, 65% of women referred to WMH @Ob/Gyn initiated mental health treatment, and 36% of those sustained. ● Insurance coverage continues to be a barrier to engaging in sustained mental health services. Keywords Mental health · Obstetrics and gynecology · Integrated mental healthcare · Access · Service utilization Auhors Andreane Lavallee and Vanessa Babineau share 1st authorship. Extended author information available on the last page of the article Introduction The United States (U.S.) is at the forefront of the global mental health crisis. According to recent data, the combined incidence of anxiety and depression among adults is 21.4% in the U.S. (National Center for Health Statistics 2025), compared to 12.5% worldwide (World Health Organization 2022a) . Women face a higher lifetime risk, with prevalence rates of 40% and 26% for anxiety and depression, respectively, compared to 20% and 15% in men (Gregory et al. 2020; Hasin et al. 2018) . The perinatal period represents a particularly vulnerable time, with depression and anxiety emerging as among the most common complications of childbirth (Luca et al. 2020) . Across the globe, at least one in five women experiences a mental health disorder during pregnancy or in the ye

FAQs

What is WMH @Ob/Gyn and how is it delivered within obstetrics and gynecology care?

WMH @Ob/Gyn is an insurance-based mental health service integrated into Ob/Gyn practices. It includes mental health screening, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and support groups, embedded in routine care with referrals based on patient request, provider observation, and/or universal depression screening results.

How were mental health service utilization outcomes measured in the study?

Utilization was estimated at initiation and sustainment. Initiation captured the proportion attending at least one mental health visit, while sustainment captured the proportion attending three or more visits.

What proportion of referred women initiated and sustained mental health treatment?

Among 2,661 women referred to WMH @Ob/Gyn, 65% initiated mental health treatment. Of those who initiated, 36% sustained treatment.

Which factors were associated with lower likelihood of sustaining treatment?

Lower odds of sustaining treatment were observed among women whose insurance was not participating in mental healthcare, women who were not pregnant, and younger women. The study also notes that Hispanic/Latina/Spanish women were less likely to initiate treatment.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra