Reproductive Mental Health Program

Current Research Projects:

Reducing Perinatal Mental Health Inequities through Screening and Engagement

This mixed-methods study investigates perinatal mental health screening and referral within OBGYN care. We will evaluate behavioral health screening and referral rates across a variety of demographic characteristics. We will also examine patient and provider experiences with screening and integrated behavioral health services. We aim to synthesize findings to establish best practices that enhance screening efforts, reduce barriers, and expand access to perinatal mental health care for marginalized groups.

Implementation of BH Screening Guidelines

This study uses a PDSA framework to evaluate perinatal behavioral health screening, identifying gaps and tracking improvements in real time. Findings will inform best practices to ensure all patients are reliably screened and connected to appropriate perinatal mental health care.

10-Year Retrospective Study

This retrospective study examines psychiatric and obstetric outcomes among BMC perinatal patients (2016–2025). It evaluates diagnosis prevalence, access to behavioral health services, and high-cost care utilization. The study also evaluates whether engagement in behavioral health services impacts maternal psychiatric and obstetric outcomes.

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Perinatal Mental Health Care

A mixed-methods survey of Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and OBGYN providers that assessed comfort, challenges, and educational needs in addressing perinatal mental health among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients. Findings have guided the development of an educational module to strengthen interdisciplinary providers’ skills in supporting perinatal mental health for CALD patients.

Module Components:

Media Module– A critical analysis of media content related to a CaLDmental health issue.

Progressive Case Conference- Participants collaboratively discuss and manage a complex perinatal mental health case involving a CaLD individual.

Self-Study Module- The application of the social ecologic model to understand perinatal mental health in CaLD communities.

Research Team:

Maithri Ameresekere, MD, MSc, PMH-C (She, Her, Hers)

Psychiatrist

Director of the Women’s Mental Health Program

(OB IBH/RWHC/Project RESPECT)

Maithri Ameresekere, MD, MSc, PMH-C, is a reproductive psychiatrist practicing in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Additionally, she is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and serves as the Director of the BMC/BUCAM Women’s Mental Health Program.

Dr. Ameresekere’s clinical and research focus includes perinatal mental health; the mental well-being of immigrants and refugees; trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care; and initiatives aimed at eliminating barriers to accessing mental health services throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Resham Gellatly, PhD (She, Her, Hers)

Psychologist (RWHC)

Chronic Traumatic Stress- Treatment (CTS-T) group facilitator

Resham Gellatly, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and a clinical psychologist at Boston Medical Center, as well as Director of CBT Training for the BU School of Medicine Psychiatry Residency Program. She provides psychotherapy to migrants through the Immigrant and Refugee Health Center (IRHC).

Dr. Gellatly’s program of research focuses on expanding access to quality mental health care for marginalized communities not equitably served by mental health programs and initiatives, including immigrants and refugees. She collaborates with community partners to design and test interventions aimed at reducing barriers to psychological treatments and increasing scalability among culturally diverse populations in resource constrained settings.

Kala Jennissen, MPH (She, Her, Hers)

Kala Jennissen, MPH, is a Program Coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. She graduated from Boston University with a master’s in public health with a specialization in global health program design, monitoring and evaluation. She currently assists the Ob Integrated Behavioral Health team with their research and program initiatives focused on reproductive mental health in the perinatal population.