69% of expectant/recent mums did not receive enough information about their mental wellbeing
I asked for help and I didn't get any. It's hard to ask for help and I wouldn't do so again as I didn't get any help back.
Our new report, published today, found that 69% had either received 'not enough' or 'not received any' information about perinatal mental health.
One respondent said: 'I asked for help and didn't get any. It's hard to ask for help and I wouldn't do so again as I didn't get any help back.'
When asked about what they thought the largest barrier to accessing help and support for perinatal mental health issues, 67% stated that they were worried about people's reactions.
'You worry about the effect being honest will have, there is still such a stigma about discussing it, and it takes an inner strength to ask for help when you are at your weakest' said another respondent.
However, one respondent praised the helpful support she has received from a range of services: 'GP gave me access to other services, midwives explained the medical challenges I was facing, health visitors provided ongoing support [and] children's centres ran courses to improve wellbeing.'
Commenting on its publication, our Chair David Williams said:
"We have uncovered findings that are vital for the wellbeing of parents in Sutton.
We must continue to gain a better understanding of their responses to inform the most effective way forward."
Find out more
Read more about what we found when we asked expectant and recent mums, as well as their partners to tell us about their mental health needs in our new report.
