2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

PERINATAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HIGHER PERCENTAGES OF HISPANIC AND BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS, RESPECTIVELY, REPORT PERINATAL AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION WITH WHITE INDIVIDUALS MOST LIKELY TO REPORT ANY PERINATAL CONDITION AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR This indicator reflects the percentage of people reporting any mental health disorder after giving birth and those who experienced symptoms of depression during or after pregnancy. It also reports the percentage of those who experienced intimate partner physical and/or psychological violence during pregnancy. This indicator also includes use of cannabis and alcohol during pregnancy.

Why is this indicator important?

Findings 1-2 • Pregnant individuals in Riverside County reported higher percentages of prenatal depression but lower percentages of postpartum depression than statewide numbers. • White persons in Riverside County were more likely than others to report any perinatal mental health condition at the time of delivery. From 2020-2022, Hispanic birthing individuals reported the highest percentage of prenatal depression and Black/African American birthing individuals reported the highest percentage of postpartum depression. • The percentage of pregnant individuals reporting intimate partner physical or psychological violence while pregnant during 2020-2022 was slightly greater than 2016 2018, however the most recent numbers represent an overall decline from 2018-2020 when intimate partner violence was 6.4% in Riverside County.

Perinatal mental health conditions include mood, anxiety, and related disorders that occur during pregnancy or after birth. These conditions range from depression to bipolar disorder and carry serious risks for both parent and infant and may be accompanied by substance use. Depression during pregnancy often continues after delivery and is linked to preterm birth, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal mortality. Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is a critical and often hidden contributor to poor maternal and infant outcomes. Violence can lead to miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal death and is also associated with longer term domestic abuse involving partners and children.

1 California Department of Public Health (CDPH). (n.d.). Perinatal Mental Health Conditions at Delivery. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DMCAH/surveillance/Pages/Perinatal-Mental-Health-Conditions-at-Delivery.aspx 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Violence and pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/violence-and-pregnancy.html

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