Integrating mental health into obstetric practice: a review of collaborative care models for perinatal anxiety

Objective: Perinatal anxiety is one of the most common yet least systematically addressed complications of preg- nancy and childbirth. Despite abundant evidence that collaborative and integrated care models improve maternal outcomes, obstetric practice still lacks a defined operational standard for addressing anxiety alongside routine obstetric care. Fragmented screening, insufficient referral systems, and financing barriers continue to delay intervention, widening inequities across populations and settings. Methods: This opinion article synthesizes recent evidence (2010-2025) from PubMed, Google Scholar, and professional guidelines to propose a practical framework for embedding mental health care within obstetric workflows. Drawing upon studies from high- and low-resource contexts, we outline a ten-point minimum standard for perinatal-anxiety management and a three-tier maturity model that describes the progressive integration of collaborative care - from basic screening to digitally supported, team-based systems. The model identifies measurable implementation metrics and policy levers that enable sustainability and equity. Results: Rather than advocating new research, this article translates two decades of findings into a clinically actionable standard. It emphasizes the central role of ob- stetric teams in early detection, stepped care, and follow-up through coordination with mental-health professionals. Conclusions: Integrating mental health into obstetric practice is both a moral and operational imperative. By adopting the proposed minimum standard and maturity model, health systems can transform perinatal anxiety care from discre- tionary innovation to routine expectation - achieving faster response, broader access, and better maternal-infant out- comes worldwide. © 2025 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.