Objective
To describe and interpret Indigenous women’s experiences of postpartum depression (PPD) from the perspectives of community advisory board members.
Design
Qualitative, descriptive design with a community-engagement approach.
Setting
Virtual group interviews.
Participants
Community advisory board members (N = 8) who were tribal employees, citizens of the tribe, and/or family members of citizens who had detailed knowledge of PPD among Indigenous women and issues surrounding their care.
Methods
In video- and audio-recorded virtual group interviews, we asked participants questions using a semistructured interview guide. We used qualitative content analysis to generate results.
Results
Major themes included The “Who, What, and Where” of PPD in Indigenous Women; Meanings Attributed to PPD in Indigenous Women; Realities of PPD Care in the Chickasaw Nation; and Feasibility, Acceptability, Perceived Barriers, and Facilitators of a Future Collaboration.
Conclusion
The participants identified next steps for addressing PPD in the Chickasaw Nation: raise awareness of PPD among providers, patients, and families; improve messaging about PPD to decrease stigma and normalize mental health care; and develop or adapt a culturally appropriate and relevant tool to screen for PPD in Indigenous women.