On Mar. 24, 2020, the University of Alberta (U of A) announced that a Public health study was among 11 U of A research projects sharing $5.8 million in federal funding for rapid response to COVID-19.

Building on existing research work and infrastructure in the Chinese province of Anhui, Shelby Yamamoto, an epidemiologist in the School of Public Health, and her team will assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 emergency on perinatal mental health.

The team will evaluate the effectiveness of an online intervention, investigate potential impacts in terms of adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight, and explore women’s experiences during the outbreak.

Yamamoto was one of seven U of A researchers to receive funding through the second round of the federal government’s Rapid Research Funding Opportunity created to aid in the battle against COVID-19. Through two rounds of funding, 11 U of A research projects received $5.8 million in grants.

In the original study, health-care providers screened for depression while testing an internet-based mental health therapy called Mom’s Good Mood. This long-term cognitive behaviour intervention features 11 modules that give women valuable information to help manage their stress while measuring depression levels.