Study uncovers lack of support for mothers with perinatal depression

It is estimated that a fifth of women experience antenatal anxiety and depression, with even more women experiencing postnatal anxiety or depression.

But an independent evaluation of a perinatal support project for mothers found there is a gap in NHS support.

The evaluation, by Warwick Medical School, argues that schemes such as Family Action’s perinatal support project are making up for a deficit in support for parents, particularly those with mild to moderate depression who are not eligible for intensive mental health support.?

The Family Action project uses volunteer “befrienders” to help improve mothers’ mental health, self confidence and attachment with their child as well as reduce social isolation. Around a third of women who took part in the evaluation saw improvements in all these key categories.

Those recruited to carry out the befriending role are often women who have experienced postnatal depression and are willing to work with other mothers for up to a year.

The publication of the report comes four months after former health secretary Andrew Lansley pledged to oversee a raft of improvements to maternity services, including better access to support for those with depression.

Professor Jane Barlow of Warwick Medical School, who carried out the evaluation, called on councils and health trusts to commission better support for “hard to reach vulnerable women”.

Family Action chief executive, Helen Dent added: “We are calling on government, local authorities and health agencies to invest in perinatal services so that women and children don’t slip through this gap.

“The buddying scheme offers that chance to intervene early and work with mothers before and after birth to build up the attachment with their baby, which is so important to their child’s brain development.”

The Family Action project is based in Swaffam in Norfolk, Oxford, Mansfield, and Hackney. It was launched in 2010 and is being funded by Big Lottery, The Monument Fund and the Henry Smith Charity until July 2013. The study involved interviews with 189 women and 86 befrienders.