Anxiety and Depression Screening at Well Woman Visits

Anxiety and depression are leading causes of disability in the United States. Mental health screening rates are surprisingly low, particularly among women, who are disproportionately affected by these conditions. According to clinical practice guidelines, systematic mental health screening should be conducted using reliable tools. A review of relevant literature suggests that implementing standardized mental health screening practices can lead to several positive outcomes, including increased screening completion rates, identification of at-risk patients, and interprofessional collaboration. Guided by the Health Promotion Model (Pender, 1982), a women's health clinic at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the Southwestern United States implemented standardized anxiety and depression screening during well-woman exams. Six months post-implementation, a chart audit evaluated the impact of anxiety and depression screening on tool completion rates, referrals to behavioral health specialists, and subsequent patient evaluations. Data analysis indicated that 80.3% (n = 139) of participants completed at least one mental health screening, and more than half of all eligible participants were screened for both anxiety and depression. Of those referred to behavioral health, over 75% (n=16) only had a positive anxiety screening, and more than 70% (n=15) of these referred patients connected with a specialist on the same day. Thorough mental health screenings and prompt evaluations by specialists highlight the benefits of interprofessional teamwork. In conclusion, the findings of this project underscore the importance of screening for anxiety and depression in women.