Skip to main content

Becoming strong together – screening and treatment of perinatal depression

Yhdessä vahvaksi: Raskaudenaikaisen masennuksen hoito (Becoming strong together: Treatment of perinatal depression)| Voimaperheet (utu.fi)(external link) is a research project of the University of Turku’s Research Centre for Child Psychiatry for developing the treatment of perinatal depression over the internet and telephone and studying the efficacy of the treatment. It is one of the Voimaperheet operating models. The study also examines health data obtained from registers as well as biological factors that are potentially related to depressive symptoms and the efficacy of the treatment programme.

With the exception of Lohja, all municipalities of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County are involved in the research project. Participation in the study is free of charge, voluntary and confidential for all families. The study is conducted Finnish and Swedish.

Progression of the Yhdessä vahvaksi study

  1. The prevalence of depressive symptoms is studied by means of an EPDS form in the context of an extensive health check (pregnancy week 14–16). The EPDS form and consent form regarding the study are provided to each expecting mother during the first visit to the maternity and child health clinic. The forms must be filled in at home and returned the clinic during the next visit.
  2. Mothers whose form responses reveal depressive symptoms and who have consented to the use of their information for research purposes are selected for the study.
  3. During the pregnancy, one half of the mothers chosen for the study are provided with a programme that is based on researched treatment methods and a behavioural therapeutic treatment model. The other half is provided with a self-study package on well-being during pregnancy.
  4. Treatment efficacy is studied after the end of the treatment programme and childbirth.

The mothers included in the study are divided into groups randomly. It is not possible to affect the choice of group. Participation in the study does not prevent seeking other assistance.