NHS Fails Thousands of New Mothers with Post-Natal Depression

With more than 40% of NHS trusts offering no access to a maternal mental health service, thousands of new mothers suffering from pregnancy-related mental illness are being left without support or advice.  Latest figures show that 43 per cent of health boards provide no specialised treatment for postpartum depression, with only a third of centers in these areas meeting the recommended standards.

With an estimated 140,000 women suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues either during pregnancy or in the months after birth, thousands are never given access to the support they need.  With one in five adults in Scotland reporting symptoms of depression in 2015, this is a serious issue that remains woefully underfunded.  Recently, NHS England has pledged £40m in spending for specialised workers as part of a drive to help more struggling women by 2021.  With one in five women experiencing severe depression and in some instances psychosis after childbirth, this is an area which requires serious overhaul if all the women suffering from postnatal depression are to receive the help they so desperately need.

Here at Birkenshaw Midwifery Clinic we are dedicated to providing you with the vital help and support new mothers require.  We offer a large selection of workshops, where we cover how to care for your newborn, those early – and extremely trying – days as a new parent and even offer a dedicated workshop to infant feeding.  We believe that new mothers should have access to a caring support network and our post-natal health workshop was designed to meet the needs of mothers struggling with mental health issues after pregnancy.

We’re here to tell you that postpartum depression happens to one-in-five new mothers and the NHS is still woefully unprepared to deal with this growing issue.  Our workshop helps you to spot the early signs of postnatal depression and provides help, support, and advice for new mothers.  If you’re interested in how we can help you with any health concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us today on 01698 818 091.