NHS launches mental health service for new, expectant and bereaved mums
THOUSANDS of mums are set to receive help and support for mental health problems through new dedicated hubs, the NHS has announced.
New, expectant or bereaved mums will have access to 26 new centres which are being set up throughout the country.
Around 6,000 will receive treatment and care for issues such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
Others will also have access to a range of options for mental health issues including women who have a severe fear of childbirth.
The 26 centres will bring together maternity services, reproductive health and psychological therapy under one roof as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
There will be 10 early implementor sites, which will later be joined by 16 fast follower sites that will develop and test the new service.
Current estimates from the NHS state that around £1.2 billion is spent each year when women do not have access to high-quality perinatal mental health services.
EXTRA SUPPORT
Experts have now encouraged women to come forward and use the services in their local area.
Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national mental health director said mothers all over the country will now be able to access help if and when they need it.
She said: “Every woman has a unique experience with pregnancy and motherhood and some will need extra support to cope with mental health issues that can range from anxiety to severe depression.
“The NHS is here for everyone who needs help and the expansion of specialist care through the roll out of these maternal mental health services will strengthen the services already in place, enabling us to improve the quality of care and outcomes for many women.
“I would encourage any mum who needs this support to come forward safe in the knowledge that her mental health and well-being are of paramount importance and she should not feel ashamed of accessing the help she needs.”
WHERE ARE THE 26 MENTAL HEALTH HUBS?
Here's the list of the 26 new hubs being opened
Early Implementors:
Midlands
- Birmingham & Solihull
- Leicestershire
- Northamptonshire
- Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
North East
- South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw
North West
- Lancashire and South Cumbria
South East
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- Kent and Medway
South West
- Cornwall
- Devon
Fast followers
East of England
- Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
- Norfolk and Waveney
London
- North Central London
- North East London
- North West London
South East
- Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
- Frimley Health
- Surrey Heartlands
South West
- Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire
- Gloucester
- Somerset
North West
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire and South Cumbria
- Cheshire and Merseyside
North East
- North East and North Cumbria
- Humber, Coast and Vale
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One expert added that around one in four women experiences mental health problems in pregnancy and during the 24 months after giving birth.
Dr Giles Berrisford, NHS England’s national speciality advisor for perinatal mental health explained that the new hubs have been specifically tailored to meet the needs of these women.
By the end of 2022 around 6,000 women should have received help from the new hubs and Dr Berrisford said that their establishment will significantly contribute to the overall commitment of the NHS.
This Dr Berrisford said will help enable at least 66,000 women with moderate to severe mental health difficulties related motherhood to access specialist care by 2023/24.