Samaritans Cymru call for urgent improvement across health services as research shows people on parenthood journey in Wales are left struggling to cope

Samaritans Cymru have today launched a new project which aims to reduce suicide and poor mental health for people on the parenthood journey in Wales. Their new research report Waiting for Change is based on a Wales-only survey that evidences support for people on the parenthood journey in Wales is inadequate and unacceptable. 

Sadly, almost one in five people who completed the survey reported having no support at all during their journey to becoming a parent. 

Suicide is the leading cause of death for new mothers in the UK and new fathers with mental health problems are almost 50 times more likely to be rated as a suicide risk than at any other time in their lives. In addition to this, people experiencing infertility, baby-loss and giving birth to babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU), are more likely to experience poor mental health and suicide risk.  

Emma Gooding, Senior Policy and Influencing Manager for Wales, who has been leading on the project and has herself experienced post-natal depression and baby loss said –  

‘Since the beginning, it was important to us that this project was inclusive and representative of everyone across Wales. It’s very clear that poor mental health and suicide risk is impacted by many challenges on the parenthood journey, including infertility, baby loss, adoption, fertility treatments, traumatic birth experiences, stays on NICU and the postpartum period. This project focuses on the parenthood journey overall to try and reach everyone who may be experiencing distress, whatever your gender, background or experience. 

We are hugely grateful for everyone who took the time and shared their personal experience during this research process. Your honesty has helped us to call for urgent change and we are very thankful for that.’ 

The research found that following their experience of trying to become a parent, overall levels of mental health problems had increased significantly, with almost half of participants reporting being diagnosed with anxiety or depression. 

The following experiences were strongly associated with receiving a mental health diagnosis: 

• 77.5% of those who had a baby born with unexpected health problems or disability  

• 69.0% of those experiencing a high risk or complicated pregnancy  

• 64.8% of those who experienced a traumatic birth  

• 63.0% of those who experienced difficulties conceiving  

Respondents with a mental health condition were also asked if they were affected by a number of contributing factors which are known to potentially impact negatively on parental mental health.  

The top contributing factors noted by respondents were comparing themselves to others (reported by 55.25%) and the stigma attached to struggling with pregnancy or early parenthood (51.19%).  

This ties in with the overall report finding that the expectations and realities of pregnancy, birth and parenthood, are often fuelled by comparisons with others, alongside feelings of failure during what is often portrayed as an easy or positive experience. This is a key driver of people’s mental health problems.   

Sadly, the research also identified that among the 228 respondents that answered a section on suicide and self-harm, three out of ten people had thought about self-harming and over four out of ten had thoughts of ending their life. Respondents also disclosed that they had made plans or attempted to end their lives.  

Samaritans Cymru say that our current support system should be equipped to respond effectively to these common but devastating experiences for people across Wales and that urgent, accessible and compassionate mental health support should always be available. Unfortunately, it is clear that this is not the reality for many people . 

Neil Ingham, Executive Director for Wales said –   

‘No-one on the parenthood journey in Wales should be left to feel like there’s nowhere to turn. The current support system for those on the parenthood journey is not fit for purpose and we need to take urgent action to address suicide risk, poor mental health and distress across Wales. Our new report contains eight recommendations which we believe could create positive change for people on the parenthood journey in Wales. We believe a system that better supports people on the parenthood journey will also lead to better outcomes for children.’ 

Amongst the eight recommendations, Samaritans Cymru have called for mental health screening for new fathers and accessible mental health support at every stage of the parenthood journey. They have also said a bereavement pathway for anyone experiencing baby loss is crucial, along with mandatory suicide prevention training for all frontline staff.  

Neil Ingham added –  

‘We have a major opportunity to do things differently in Wales with the arrival of two new Welsh Government strategies focused on mental health and suicide and self-harm. However, we need to be bold and listen to those with lived experience. We also need investment for third sector and community groups, who are absolutely crucial and often lifesaving for many people across Wales.  

We hope this report shines a light on the many parenthood challenges, alongside the postnatal period, that affect poor mental health and suicide risk. We also hope it raises awareness of the importance of focusing on all parents in order to prevent suicides and improve outcomes for the children themselves. In Wales, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. In 2023, there were 386 suicides in Wales, and 296 of these deaths were by men. We cannot afford to exclude the screening of men’s mental health during the parenthood journey.’ 

To read or download the new Samaritans Cymru research report, Waiting for Change, please visit www.samaritans.org/WaitingforChange  (Live on 17^th Oct)

If you’re struggling to cope and need someone to talk to, you can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. If you would like emotional support in Welsh, Samaritans have a Welsh Language Line which is free to call on 0808 164 0123 (Open every day 7pm-11pm) These numbers won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org.