Clinicians should provide or refer pregnant and postpartum persons who are at increased risk of perinatal depression to counseling interventions, according to a new recommendation statement from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The new recommendation on interventions to prevent perinatal depression was developed after the USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the benefits and harms of preventive interventions for perinatal depression in pregnant or postpartum women or their children. Among the USPSTF findings:

• Counseling interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy, are effective in preventing perinatal depression.
• Women with a history of depression, current depressive symptoms, or certain socioeconomic risk factors would benefit from counseling interventions and could be considered at increased risk.
• Providing or referring pregnant or postpartum women at increased risk to counseling interventions has a moderate net benefit in preventing perinatal depression.