Woman’s Hospital Marks One-Year Anniversary of Louisiana’s First Perinatal Mental Health Unit

Today, Woman’s President and CEO Rene Ragas along with hospital administrators and team members, celebrated the one-year anniversary of Woman’s Perinatal Mental Health Unit (PMHU). Woman’s PMHU is the first and only one of its kind in Louisiana that addresses the mental health needs of women who are either pregnant or postpartum. Since opening on September 3, 2024, the unit has helped hundreds of mothers from around the state as well as throughout the southern region. One in seven women will experience mood and anxiety disorders, and most will go undiagnosed. Woman’s PMHU provides specialized care for women, offering a safe and nurturing inpatient environment where they can receive individualized treatment.

“We saw the gap in maternal mental healthcare and knew we could offer the kind of unique help mothers needed,” said Ragas. “I am very thankful to the women and families who trust us to care for them and incredibly proud of all our team has accomplished within the last year. Providing accessible and effective treatment can help restore families and set them on the course for success. We feel fortunate to be part of their journey.”

Since opening Woman’s PMHU has:

• Admitted more than 215 patients
• Served patients from:
  • 36 parishes
  • 7 counties
  • 6 states: Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee
• Patient population:
  • 51% postpartum
  • 49% pregnant

“Through its innovative Perinatal Mental Health Unit, Woman’s Hospital is shaping the future of maternal health care,” said U.S. Congresswoman Julia Letlow. “While being a mother is one of life’s greatest blessings, it certainly comes with challenges that require extra support. I’m glad Woman’s is stepping up to provide mental health resources for moms, and I’m proud to partner with them to help mothers care for their newborn babies.”

Among the unique features of Woman’s PMHU are 10 inpatient private bedrooms and baths, supervised visits between babies and mothers to nurture the bonding process, and on-site OB-GYN doctors and maternal-fetal medicine physicians. Each patient is assigned her own comprehensive care team, including psychologists, therapists, nurses trained in both psychiatric and obstetrical care, social workers and lactation consultants. Before leaving, each patient is given an outpatient care plan, which is essential to the recovery process. Woman’s Outpatient Behavioral Health has seen more than 1,000 new patients since the opening of the PMHU.

“We are so proud of our patients for recognizing they need help and grateful we are here for them when they need us most,” said Dr. Kelly Cannon, director of inpatient perinatal psychiatry at Woman’s PMHU. “Seeing the significant improvements they have made and continue to make is inspiring. Taking that first step can be scary, but no one needs to suffer in silence because there is effective treatment available for mothers who are in need of mental health care, and it can change the course of their lives for the better.”  

Woman’s PMHU is one of only a few in the country and serves women ages 18 and older during any stage of pregnancy, up to one year postpartum, or who have suffered a pregnancy loss within the last year and have a primary psychiatric diagnosis.