OVERVIEW

Menopause and Mental Health: Strategies for Overcoming Barriers and Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities is organized by Rural Medical Education (RME) Collaborative.

Released On: February 28, 2023
Expires On: February 28, 2024

Description:
The menopause transition can be challenging for women, bringing about hormonal fluctuations that can cause a variety of physical and psychological changes. Women are particularly vulnerable to mood disorders such as major depressive disorder which can have devastating effects on quality of life and overall functioning. It is therefore critical for primary care clinicians to be aware of the relationship between mood and hormonal changes as well as the predisposing factors for developing depressive symptoms in menopause. In this activity, expert faculty will review the latest evidence and guidance for the evaluation and management of menopausal symptoms, particularly those affecting mental and emotional well-being. Treatment advances and strategies to ensure equitable access to care in rural and underserved communities will also be reviewed.

This enduring activity is a recorded session from Rural Health Clinical Congress Fall 2022 that took place on November 19, 2022.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
• Apply evidence-based strategies and recommendations to screen for depression and depressive symptoms in midlife women
• Distinguish clinical manifestations of depressive disorders from menopausal symptoms and psychosocial distress during different stages of menopause
• Develop personalized treatment plans for the management of depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes in midlife women who reside in rural and underserved communities.