The Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC) has published a new suite of recommendations, including guidance for screening for depression and anxiety, and assessment of psychosocial risk factors.

New and updated content includes:

• A new section on considerations before screening that addresses the context in which screening and assessment take place, training for health professionals, the use of culturally appropriate screening and assessment tools, the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, and communication of results between members of a care team.

• More specific recommendations on appropriate tools to consider for screening and assessment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The guidance is broadly consistent with previous guidance in the former Australian Pregnancy Care Guideline and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) guideline, Mental Health Care in the Perinatal Period.

ALEC acknowledges that these recommendations form part of a wider frame of mental health prevention and care during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

To share your feedback, visit the Pregnancy and Postnatal Care guidelines before Tuesday, 23 April 2024.