Background:
The rate of postpartum depression in the general population is around 13%. In underserved populations it tends to be much higher. Healthy Start Pittsburgh staff had received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills from the staff of Women's Behavioral Healthcare at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. The Pennsylvania Perinatal Partnership (PPP) asked the Pittsburgh Healthy Start project and Women's Behavioral Healthcare to conduct a series of these same trainings for members of the PPP and other organizations in Pennsylvania. Attendees of these trainings consisted of other Pennsylvania Healthy Start projects, Title V MCH, and family planning organizations in the state.

Objectives:
• Learn about the skills taught to the employees
• Learn the value of training workers in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills
• Understand the connection between stress and depression and poor birth outcomes


Methods:
Healthy Start and Women's Behavioral Healthcare conducted a series of three 2-day trainings on postpartum depression, its effects on the mother/baby dyad, and DBT skills. Pre- and post-tests were given to the attendees. Follow-up sessions were held 8 weeks later.

Results:
Knowledge about Postpartum depression increased as indicated by the testing. Attendees acquired skills for helping their participants and themselves to deal with stress. Over 300 people were trained

Conclusion and implications for practice:
Giving staff the tools for more effective interactions with participants can lower stress, improve job satisfaction, and let staff be more receptive to their participants. Helping mothers cope with stress can enable them to carry their babies to term and to provide a more nurturing environment for their newborns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills can be used in non-clinical settings for the benefit of participants as well as workers.