Kangra

This research aims to improve understanding of mental disorders among perinatal women in India, focusing on depression, anxiety, PTSD, somatization, and suicidal ideation. It is conducted in two low-income settings and includes three phases: exploring awareness and acceptability of mental health screening, validating screening tools, and studying the prevalence and risk factors of mental disorders among perinatal and non-perinatal women. Participants will be assessed using various screening tools designed to identify the likelihood of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. The study includes pregnant women, postpartum women, and non-perinatal women. The first phase explores attitudes toward mental health screening, the second phase evaluates the accuracy of screening tools, and the third phase follows participants over time to measure the prevalence and associated factors of mental disorders. Women who join the study will undergo multiple assessments, including mental health screenings at planned visits, with data collected on mental disorder prevalence and related risk factors. Researchers will analyze screening tool performance and mental health patterns over time. Participants must be willing to attend up to four visits during the study period, and safety is monitored by excluding those with severe psychiatric illness that impairs participation or consent. The study spans from initial evaluation through follow-up visits to gather comprehensive information on mental health in this population.