Why in news? Karnataka State Health Department will start screening nearly 10 lakh pregnant women for mental health issues too as part of routine health check-up.

Highlights

• The State health department has now included mental health screening questions in the “Thayi” card used for recording a pregnant woman’s health status throughout the pregnancy.
• Karnataka is the first State in the country to start this initiative under Matru Chaitanya, a scheme that provides counselling for pregnant and lactating women.
• Thayi cards are issued to women seeking maternity services through the public healthcare system.
• Two screening questions listed in the 40-page Thayi card booklet and if the answer to any of the two questions is a “yes”, the healthcare workers are expected to note it and ensure that the women are counselled and given help to seek treatment.
• Depression is also associated with lower quality of life during pregnancy, and untreated mental health issues can have adverse effects on both the mother and the child.
• Perinatal depression affects nearly 20 out of every 100 women, who are under stress due to various reasons during pregnancy and post-delivery. This is also due to hormonal changes in the body