Taxonomy of access to mental healthcare for economically marginalized women during a public health crisis: a qualitative study of obstetric professionals and perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic - Report - MDSpire

Taxonomy of access to mental healthcare for economically marginalized women during a public health crisis: a qualitative study of obstetric professionals and perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • By

  • Azure B. Thompson

  • Ana J. Schaefer

  • Clevanne Julce

  • Martha Zimmermann

  • Leah Ramella

  • Dienta Rochani

  • Tiffany A. Moore Simas

  • Wendy Davis

  • Nancy Byatt

  • Thomas I. Mackie

  • July 15, 2026

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Framework for Understanding Access to Mental Health Services for Economically Disadvantaged Women During a Public Health Emergency

Overview

This study develops a taxonomy for understanding access to mental healthcare for economically marginalized perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying six dimensions of access and challenges faced in obtaining necessary mental health services.

Background

Mood and anxiety disorders are prevalent among pregnant women, with public health crises exacerbating these conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified barriers to accessing mental healthcare, particularly for economically disadvantaged perinatal women. Understanding these barriers is crucial for improving mental health outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Data Highlights

No numerical data provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Six dimensions of mental healthcare access were identified: approachability, availability, affordability, accessibility, accommodation, and acceptability.
  • Factors influencing affordability included increased direct mental healthcare costs due to economic instability.
  • 42% of mental health professionals reported that their patients faced wait times of over two months for appointments.
  • Perinatal women experienced heightened emotional distress and disruptions in care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Routine screening for mental health disorders is often the first barrier to care for perinatal women.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the multifaceted barriers to mental healthcare access for economically marginalized perinatal women. Addressing these barriers through policy and community collaboration may improve mental health outcomes in this population.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance mental healthcare access for economically disadvantaged perinatal women during public health emergencies.

Related Resources & Content

  1. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2026 -- Effect of midwife-led planned education on psychosocial health and obstetric outcomes among pregnant women in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic
  2. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2026 -- Disruptions in perinatal outcomes across Manitoba, Canada: before and over 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic
  3. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 2026 -- A Preventive Social Media Intervention for Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Regional, Rural, and Remote Communities: Participatory Co-Design Study
  4. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Challenges in Accessing Perinatal Mental Health Services Among Ethnically Diverse Women in the UK
  5. ACOG, 2026 -- Assessment and Treatment of Perinatal Mental Health Conditions
  6. Nature Medicine, 2025 -- Task-sharing and telemedicine delivery of psychotherapy to treat perinatal depression: a pragmatic, noninferiority randomized trial
  7. DEA Extends Telemedicine Flexibilities to Ensure Continued Access to Care
  8. Assessment and Treatment of Perinatal Mental Health Conditions | ACOG
  9. Task-sharing and telemedicine delivery of psychotherapy to treat perinatal depression: a pragmatic, noninferiority randomized trial | Nature Medicine

Original Source(s)

Taxonomy of access to mental healthcare for economically marginalized women during a public health crisis: a qualitative study of obstetric professionals and perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • by Azure B. Thompson, Ana J. Schaefer, Clevanne Julce, Martha Zimmermann, Leah Ramella, Dienta Rochani, Tiffany A. Moore Simas, Wendy Davis, Nancy Byatt, Thomas I. Mackie

  • July 15, 2026

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