West Virginia expands access to maternal mental health care with perinatal psychiatric program

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health, in partnership with the West Virginia Perinatal Partnership, has announced the launch of the West Virginia Perinatal Psychiatric Access Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum individuals across the state.

The program is a provider-facing initiative that connects healthcare professionals with perinatal psychiatrists for consultation, guidance and referrals. The program is designed to build statewide capacity to better identify and treat perinatal mental health and substance use concerns.

The program builds on findings from the state’s recent perinatal behavioral health needs assessment, conducted in partnership with the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery and the West Virginia Perinatal Partnership, which identified opportunities to strengthen screening practices, expand provider support and improve access to care.

The WV PPAP supports these efforts by offering:

• Direct consultation with perinatal psychiatrists
• Referrals to behavioral health resources
• Ongoing support for providers treating perinatal patients

Healthcare providers can access the program by calling 1-304-314-PERI (7374), Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m.

The program is staffed by a team of perinatal psychiatrists, including Dr. Emily Boothe, Dr. Rebecca Creel and Dr. Meredith Bentley, along with a dedicated resource and referral specialist to assist providers in connecting patients with appropriate services.

The WV PPAP is supported through funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration and was developed with guidance from the Maternal Mental Health Advisory Council, whose expertise has helped shape the program’s implementation.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen West Virginia’s behavioral health system and improve outcomes for mothers and families by increasing access to timely, specialized care.

For more information or to request a consultation, visit wvperinatal.org/wvppap.