Perinatal Mental Health and Substance Use: Screening, Safety and First Line Care
Training Overview
This foundational training is designed for providers who care for patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The course focuses on practical, actionable skills that clinicians can use in routine care to identify behavioral health concerns, respond effectively, and connect patients to the right level of support.
Participants will learn how to use mental health and substance use screening tools more effectively, assess safety, recognize diagnostic red flags, and take next steps when concerns arise. The course emphasizes what to ask, what to say, what to watch for, when to escalate care, and how to support patients in accessing specialty mental health care when needed.
Training Emphasizes:
- Trauma-informed obstetric care
- Mental health and substance use screening in obstetric and primary care settings
- Treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety
- Postpartum sleep as a clinical intervention
- Clinical approaches to cannabis use during pregnancy and postpartum
- Suicide risk assessment and safety planning in the perinatal period
- Recognition of OCD, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis
Learning Series Director
Sarah Nagle-Yang, Executive Director, Colorado Center for Women’s Behavioral Health, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Learning Audience
This training curriculum is designed primarily for prescribing providers who care for pregnant and postpartum patients, including OB/GYNs, family physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists, women’s health and psychiatric nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants.
Many of the curriculum’s courses, such as those focused on trauma-informed care and sleep, are also relevant for a broader audience, including nurses, doulas, lactation consultants, NICU care teams, therapists, behavioral health professionals, and other perinatal care providers.
Continuing Medical Education Credits
Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians, will be offered upon completion of each course.
Available Courses
Courses Coming Soon
Are you interested in being notified when new courses become available?
Updates and Best Practices in Mental Health Screening for Obstetric Clinicians (Coming Soon)
Treatment of Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and Postpartum (Coming Soon)
Trauma-Informed Perinatal Care: Principles in Practice (Coming Soon)
Perinatal Cannabis Use: Screening, Motivational Interviewing, and Referral (Coming Soon)
Want to Learn More About PROSPER?
PROSPER (Perinatal Resource Supporting Obstetric Screening, Psychiatric Education, and Referral) is a free statewide program that supports Colorado healthcare clinicians caring for pregnant and postpartum individuals experiencing mental health or substance use concerns.
Through psychiatric consultation, education, training, and referral resources, PROSPER helps clinicians strengthen screening, treatment, and referral practices while expanding access to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-responsive care.
Consultation Step Process
Select each tab below to quickly explore the PROSPER consultation process.
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- Step 5
Request a Consult
Healthcare providers can call 1.888.910.0153 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to request a consultation.
Connect with a Specialist
Connect with a specialist to provide basic information about your patient.
Expect a Call Back
A perinatal psychiatric expert will contact you by phone within one business day.
Receive a Summary and Resources
A summary of your consultation, along with relevant resources and referrals, will be emailed to you.
Survey
You will have the opportunity to complete a brief satisfaction survey to help PROSPER improve its services and processes.
