Table 3 Expert recommendations to support parents’ mental health in the NICU.

Be familiar with the mental health risks associated with NICU admissions and understand these risks persist beyond the neonatal period

Understand that parental mental health impacts long-term infant development and outcomes

Recognize that non-birthing parents/caregivers have underrecognized mental health needs and they should be treated as equal caregivers to birthing parents

Acknowledge that high-risk populations for mental health conditions need further levels of support

Normalize the range of caregiver reactions to having an infant admitted to the NICU

Be aware of the evidence-based practices that can mitigate parental distress and facilitate parent involvement at the bedside

Be familiar with resources to enhance family support in your community

Understand how the NICU admission is disruptive to the entire family unit and strive to incorporate practices that support the entire family and their unique cultural needs

Assess families for psychosocial needs and refer any concerns to appropriate mental health professionals

Include families in decision making for your unit, your community, and research design

Establish a universal screening program for parental psychological distress

Foster connections with existing community organizations, create opportunities for peer (parent-to-parent) support, and consider implementation of emotional-behavioral programs and therapies (e.g. COPE, CBT interventions) to promote parental mental health

Employ mental health professional(s) in the NICU

Incorporate mental health awareness, knowledge, and communication skills into neonatology training programs

Develop standardized policies for parental mental health screening and treatment

Advocate for extended, universal, paid parental leave, accessible and affordable childcare, and comprehensive access to health care

Attention and funding to provide equity in mental health resource utilization

Support scholarly work surrounding screening and treating psychosocial distress in NICU parents and use of technology-assisted assessments/therapy