Early detection of maternal depression and referral can improve health outcomes for parents and families and, most important, the child.

The following are the most commonly used standardized maternal depression screening tools.

• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (NOTE: Contact the Royal College of Psychiatrists at [email protected] to request permission to use. Rights and Permissions Manager: Lucy Alexander)
• Patient Health Questionnaire (2-item) (PHQ-2)  
• Patient Health Questionnaire (9-item) (PHQ-9) 
• Survey of Wellbeing of Young Children (SWYC) 
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2) developmental screening tool for infants includes items related to maternal depression/impact on the mother-infant relationship (dyad).