Depression during and after pregnancy is more common than many realize, affecting not just mothers but also their babies. Recognizing this, the COMPASS Program emerges as a vital resource. But What Program Is Care Compass exactly, and how can it help?
Care Compass is a specialized program designed to provide comprehensive support and treatment for individuals experiencing depression and other mental health concerns during the perinatal period – encompassing pregnancy and the year following childbirth. Offered by Northwestern Medicine, it’s an evidence-based initiative focused on delivering personalized mental health care tailored to the unique needs of expectant and new mothers.
Understanding the Core of the Care Compass Program
At its heart, the Care Compass Program is about providing accessible and effective mental health support within the familiar setting of prenatal care. It acknowledges that seeking help can be challenging, especially for new families. Therefore, Care Compass integrates mental health services directly into obstetrics and gynecology practices. This integration ensures that women receive the mental health care they need as a routine part of their overall pregnancy and postpartum care journey.
The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach. A coordinated team of professionals, including care coordinators, perinatal psychiatrists, maternal-fetal medicine physicians, licensed therapists, and clinical liaisons, work collaboratively to provide holistic care. This team-based approach ensures that all aspects of a patient’s well-being are considered, from initial evaluation to ongoing treatment and symptom management.
Services Offered by the Care Compass Program
Care Compass offers a range of services designed to meet diverse needs:
- Individualized Treatment Plans: Recognizing that each person’s experience with perinatal depression is unique, Care Compass emphasizes personalized treatment plans. These plans may include medication management, talk therapy, or a combination of both, depending on individual needs and preferences.
- Symptom Tracking and Adaptive Care: The program utilizes electronic self-reported surveys to track symptoms. This data-driven approach allows the team to monitor progress closely and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan in weekly multidisciplinary meetings, ensuring the most effective care possible.
- Pre-conception and Postpartum Support: Care Compass services extend beyond pregnancy, offering pre-conception consultations for women planning to become pregnant and treatment throughout pregnancy and up to a year postpartum. This comprehensive approach addresses mental health needs across the entire perinatal period.
- Coordination of Care: A key feature of Care Compass is the seamless coordination between obstetric and mental health teams. This integrated approach ensures that mental health care is not siloed but is an integral part of overall healthcare during this critical time.
Who Can Benefit from the Care Compass Program?
Care Compass is specifically designed for patients of Northwestern Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prentice Ambulatory Care Clinic, and Maternal–Fetal Medicine. Individuals experiencing symptoms of depression, postpartum depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other mental health concerns during the perinatal period are encouraged to seek support from the program.
Location and Contact Information
The Care Compass Program is conveniently located within:
Galter Pavilion Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
675 North Saint Clair Street
14th Floor, Suite 14-200
Chicago, Il 60611
To schedule an appointment or learn more about what program is Care Compass and how it can support you, please call: 312.926.8347.
If you are seeking support for perinatal depression, the Care Compass Program at Northwestern Medicine offers a compassionate and effective path towards mental wellness. Don’t hesitate to reach out and take the first step towards feeling better.
