Thinking Healthy Program

Approximately four million women give birth in the United States each year. Recent data from CDC indicated that 9.7% - 23.5% of women reported postpartum depression as a complication of pregnancy. A recent study noted that among birthing individuals, suicidal ideation during the perinatal period increased five-fold from 0.1% per 100 individuals in 2006 to 0.5% per 100 individuals in 2017. Furthermore, studies have identified that up to 85% women struggling with depression do not receive any treatment for depression.

The Thinking Healthy Program (THP) is an initiative to address some of the barriers to initiation of treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). The THP initiative collaborates with Community Based Organizations and their team of Community Health Workers and Home Visiting Programs to deliver the program.

The Program received funding support from the Health Foundation of Western and Central NY and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

What is the Thinking Healthy Program

THP is a novel evidence-based, low-intensity psychological intervention. The World Health Organization (WHO) includes THP as part of the Mental Health GAP Action Program (mhGAP). Low-intensity interventions refer to treatment models that can be administered by paraprofessionals such as community health workers (CHWs) and peers with no specialized healthcare training.

THP is a cognitive behavioral intervention specially modified for depression during the perinatal period. In addition to principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), CHWs use other techniques such as psychosocial interventions, including problem solving and behavioral activation and mobilization of social networks to pregnant and postpartum individuals. THP uses a collaborative and trauma-informed approach to address PMADS in the community.

A team of researchers and faculty from Upstate Medical University, University at Buffalo and Syracuse University worked together to adapt the model to Central NY. Currently, the program is being delivered in 5 counties in NYS by Community Based Organizations.

Thinking Healthy Program Structure

THP has an introductory session, followed by five modules covering the period from the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to the first year of the infant’s life. The contents of the sessions and activities for the mother are tailored according to the age and developmental stage of the infant and the needs of the mother at each stage.

Each module has three sessions, with each session covering one of the three areas relevant to mother and infant health during pregnancy and after childbirth.