Research has demonstrated that depression in women before and after giving birth can cause substantial health problems for a mother and her children. The risks range from medical and psychiatric to social and developmental.

Yet depression in perinatal women (referring to the period just before and after giving birth) is not well understood.

“Most women with depression – one of the most disabling illnesses worldwide – are not detected or treated,” said Heather Flynn, Ph.D., associate professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences. “Depression around pregnancy is common, risky and provides an ideal opportunity for intervention.”

Flynn will lead off the medical humanities 2011-12 Seminar Series, presenting “Depression in Women: Maximizing the Public Health Impact of Research through Interdisciplinary Collaborative Models.”

The presentation is scheduled for Dec. 6, 3-4 p.m., in Room 1302 at the College of Medicine’s main campus in Tallahassee.

Flynn is the co-principal investigator for a study – “Targeted Research on Mental Health Disparities” – that aims to shed more light on perinatal depression by building a large national, collaborative team.

For example, why are there such disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal depression? Why is screening for depression in perinatal women so rare? And why are the vast majority of women who screen positive not treated, treated inadequately or treated without the use of evidence-based care?

Recent research outlines a clear gap in understanding perinatal depression in minority women, as well as women from rural areas and women from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Flynn’s work seeks to close that gap.

The study is being funded through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

“This study will increase the sample size and diversity beyond the limits of a single research study to include 12 national datasets,” Flynn said.

Data from more than 15,000 perinatal women who were screened for depression will be analyzed as part of the study. The data produced through the study will be used to develop a clinical tool to overcome disparities in treatment, allowing clinicians to tailor interventions to specific settings and individual women.

The work is being done as part of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC), established in 2009 to advance the field of depression through a collaborative network. Flynn is founder and chair of the Women & Mood Disorders Task Group within the NNDC.

Flynn joined the College of Medicine faculty in September, bringing with her from the University of Michigan several ongoing research projects related to depression in pregnant or postnatal women as well as experience building infrastructure and models for interdisciplinary collaboration on depression and related chronic illnesses.

In addition to her research, she has been active in national and international efforts to improve psychotherapeutic and behavioral treatments for mental health and substance abuse. She is a certified supervisor in Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression (IPT), an evidence-based treatment shown to be as effective as antidepressant medications.

Flynn also is chair of the Professional Development Committee within the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. The committee will develop guidelines and standards for training in motivational interviewing, an evidence-based approach to health-behavior change used around the globe.