Supporting women with perinatal mental health problems: the role of the voluntary sector

The prevalence of perinatal mental health problems is high with estimates suggesting that around a fifth of women experience anxiety and or depression during the ante- and post-natal period. Mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period have an adverse impact on the development of the foetal and infant nervous system and the parent-infant relationship, with significant long-term consequences for the child. The charity Family Action established a Perinatal Support Project (PSP) underpinned by the Newpin model of working, at four sites across the U.K. The service offered women experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression support from volunteer befrienders. The result of a service evaluation of PSP shows high levels of need, and promising results in terms of outcomes for parents. The stakeholder interview data found that front-line professionals such as midwives and health visitors highly valued the service being offered. The PSP appears to be filling a gap in service provision with women who have mild to moderate ante and post natal depression. There would appear to be scope for the PSP to work with service users earlier in the antenatal period where the impact may be even greater.