Midwives play an important role in the perinatal mental health. Mothers with postpartum depression often do not seek care;however, mental healthcare by midwives, who can provide direct care to pregnant and postpartum women, is important. Based on the results of a domestic multicenter study, it is clear that trained midwives can screen and care for pregnant and postpartum women who have psychological problems. In the current model, psychological support from midwives begins with screening for psychosocial risk factors such as psychiatric history, marital status, economic problems, and lack of childcare support. Pregnant women who need psychological care and help with childcare arrangements are recruited to a midwife-run perinatal mental health clinic. About 10 experienced midwives manage the clinic, listen to pregnant women's anxieties, and provide health guidance during one-hour appointments. At monthly multi-disciplinary meeting, the midwives share information, discuss current psychosocial situations of pregnant women, and decide on care plans. When necessary, the midwives consult clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical social workers. In order to promote such mental healthcare from midwives, it is essential to share care-giving roles and collaborate with psychiatrists, depending on the severity of mental illness. For mild cases, midwives in charge of mental health clinics can provide high-quality primary care. For moderate to severe cases, however, or even mild cases that are difficult for midwives, consultation systems with easy access to psychiatrists should be implemented. As interest in perinatal mental health increases, midwives will play the roles of both gatekeeper and hub, and greater care for mild cases will be expected. As such, it will be the psychiatrists' responsibility to offer background support to midwives in these roles.
 <Authors' abstract>