Abstract
Suicide is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States, with an increased prevalence among women of color. Although these statistics are staggering, there are few culturally responsive screening procedures for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). This banded dissertation comprises three products with an overarching theme to assess and improve the current screening procedures for perinatal mental health for women of color. The first product is a conceptual manuscript presenting a newly developed model titled the Culturally Responsive Perinatal Screening Model (CRPSM), which proposes five interrelated components to strengthen the perinatal mental health screening process. The second product is a qualitative research manuscript using semi-structured interviews to explore healthcare and behavioral health practitioners screening practices for PMADs within women of color and the integration of cultural inclusivity in a rural environment. The final product is a poster presentation presenting the CRPSM at a peer-reviewed regional conference.