Dear Editor,
As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s important that perinatal mental health is not forgotten. Before the pandemic, up to 1 in 5 mums and 1 in 10 dads experienced mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth, but there is growing concern that uncertainty surrounding lockdown, social isolation, and separation from family is causing heightened anxieties and stresses for parents.
Leading health professionals and charities from across Wales came together during a virtual round-table I hosted to share concerns, which centred around the reduced admissions to specialist mother and baby units and the potential long-term impact on babies’ health and development. Furthermore, the impact the crisis will have on the mental wellbeing of dads and partners, and health care professionals themselves.
It is worrying that whilst services are adapting rapidly and working hard together to support families, vulnerable parents experiencing perinatal mental health problems may not be coming forward to access specialist support, leaving them at risk.
At NSPCC Cymru we’re inviting members of the public to help by joining our Fight for a Fair Start campaign that urges Welsh Government to prioritise perinatal mental health services now and as we move out of lockdown, so all new parents receive the necessary support.
Dr Sarah Witcombe-Hayes
Senior Policy Researcher
NSPCC Cymru
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