Updated · University of Utah Health Sciences · Jun 18
Utah DHHS Expands Free Perinatal Depression Screening Statewide as 20% of Women Face the Condition
Updated
Updated · University of Utah Health Sciences · Jun 18
Utah DHHS Expands Free Perinatal Depression Screening Statewide as 20% of Women Face the Condition
1 articles · Updated · University of Utah Health Sciences · Jun 18
Summary
Utah DHHS has rolled out free statewide perinatal mental health screening and follow-up resources for any woman in Utah, including those outside a health system.
The expansion builds on a University of Utah program deployed in six rural health districts, using MaMa study tools and the Bump2Baby360 portal to identify at-risk patients and connect them to care.
Suicide is Utah’s leading cause of maternal mortality, and the push targets a gap in care where 20% of women experience perinatal depression and 80% of those diagnosed do not follow treatment recommendations.
U of U Health now screens all obstetric patients and offers the portal at no cost; nearly 93% of new obstetric patients have MyChart, and 40% to 50% of active users access Bump2Baby360.
The initiative is also spreading into Idaho through a rural community health partner, reflecting a broader effort to extend screening and prevention beyond academic medical centers.
Utah's model is reducing maternal mortality. What prevents this from becoming a national standard of care for every new mother?
As mental health care moves online, are we creating digital solutions that may further isolate new mothers?
Expanding Perinatal Depression Screening in Utah: Statewide Implementation, Impact, and Future Directions
Overview
In June 2026, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services expanded its free perinatal depression screening program statewide, aiming to help more expectant and new mothers receive timely support and improve overall maternal and child well-being. This major step builds on pioneering work by the University of Utah College of Nursing, which began with in-person programs around 2011. After facing low attendance, the College shifted to a telehealth model in 2014, leading to greater participation. Insights from these years of research and pilot programs shaped the current statewide approach, using proven strategies to reach more women and strengthen family health across Utah.