A call to action by the American Academy of Pediatrics Trainees and early career neonatologists' national advocacy campaign "Carousel care": best practice guidelines for NICU family mental health standard of care

Abstract

This article introduces the need for creating programs to address pervasive perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) for neonatal-intensive care unit (NICU) families. When left unrecognized and untreated, PMADs impact the outcomes of NICU families and children. There is currently no standard of care for addressing NICU PMADs. This article highlights the work of the American Academy of Pediatrics Trainees and Early Career Neonatologist's National advocacy campaign, Carousel Care. This article introduces how Carousel Care helps provide a framework for providers and at individual, institutional, and national levels to implement new standards of care incorporating NICU mental health programs.