Perinatal mental health issues refer to emotional and psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and up to a year following the birth of a child. There is also evidence that parents can suffer from perinatal mental illness for up to three years after the birth of their child. According to NHS England perinatal mental illness affects up to 20% of new and expectant mums in the UK.
Becoming a new parent is supposed to be one of life’s great joys. We’re told it should be a happy time where new parents feel nothing but love for their babies. But that isn’t always the case. Becoming a parent can also be scary, terrifying, and sad. This is especially true now, with so much of the new parent experience altered by COVID-19.
Benenden Health has partnered with parenting community Netmums and perinatal mental health charity PANDAS to carry out research exploring perinatal mental health. We have also provided help and advice on this page to support those who think they may be suffering from poor perinatal mental health.
In September 2020, we surveyed 1,368 UK parents about their experience of suffering from perinatal mental health. Here’s what they had to say:
30% of parents are struggling with perinatal mental illness
One in five parents say their experience of perinatal mental health has put them off having more children
Of those who have sought help for perinatal mental illness, only 20% have spoken to their GP
Only a tenth or parents feel there is sufficient support available for those suffering with perinatal mental illness
If you think you might be suffering from perinatal mental health problems, we advise you speak to your clinical support team, GP, midwife or obstetrician. They will be able to offer ongoing support, monitoring for the family unit and provide escalation strategies should things deteriorate.
If you’re a Benenden Health member you can access mental health support whenever you need it with our 24/7 mental health helpline. You’ll be put straight through to a qualified counsellor who can provide immediate emotional support and signposting for perinatal mental health problems.
For help and advice on managing your mental health before, during and after pregnancy take a look at some of our useful articles.
Up to one in five women experience mental health problems in pregnancy or the first year after childbirth. But do you know what to look out for and how to get help?
It’s common for women and partners to experience mental ill health any time from becoming pregnant to a year and longer after giving birth. Here we share self-care techniques that you can use to look after yourself.
