The IAWMH position statement advocates for pregnant women’s right to access safe and effective mental health treatment, particularly in response to misleading interpretations of data on antidepressant use in pregnancy. It emphasizes the importance of balanced, evidence-based communication about the risks and benefits of treatment, including the significant harms of untreated perinatal mental illness. The statement clarifies that while SSRIs are not risk-free, they are effective and generally considered relatively safe when clinically indicated, with no proven causal link to adverse outcomes. It highlights that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are common and associated with serious consequences for both mother and child if left untreated. The IAWMH calls for individualized, patient-centered care grounded in informed shared decision-making and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Gihan ELNahas (Wed,) studied this question.