My Blog

I spoke to some student midwives today at Chester University and shared my story, why I feel perinatal mental health is so important and how we can make the journey easier for others.

I promised them links to policy drivers and other areas of good practice for maternal mental health:-

Policy Drivers

Mind – Out of the Blue 2006
http://www.mind.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C07D9100-073F-412A-85EE-56CABCD74665/0/OutofBlueFinal.pdf
2008 DH: Child Health Promotion Programme
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_083645
2008 Healthcare Commission: Towards Better Births
http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Towards_better_births_200807221338.pdf
2007 NICE Clinical Guidelines: A & PMH
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG45
2007, 2004, 2001 CEMACH Reports
http://www.cemach.org.uk/
2007 NSF Implementation Maternity Matters
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_073312
DfES Every Child Matters
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/
2003 NICE: Antenatal Care
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG6
2000 Royal College of Psychiatrists Reports (CR28, 1982, CR88)
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/collegereports/cr/cr88.aspx
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do?contentType=NonArticle&hdAction=lnkhtml&contentId=1471728

Areas of good practice

East Midlands – Margaret Oates
www.pmmrc.health.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagescm/7489/$File/perinatal-psychiatric-services.pdf
Glasgow – Dr Roch Cantwell
http://pb.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/29/11/435-a
Tamworth PND Support Group
www.tamworthpostnataldepressionsupportgroup.com
Mailing list and forum
www.jan-net.com

Other useful literature

Clinical effectiveness of health visitor training in psychologically informed approaches for depression in postnatal women: pragmatic cluster randomised trial in primary care
This study by C.J. Morrell et al, examined the outcomes for postnatal women who received one of two psychologically informed interventions by health visitors, or usual care. They found that either of the psychologically informed approaches was beneficial and were more effective than usual treatment.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/jan15_2/a3045

The Positive Practice Guidelines for IAPT-Perinatal
http://www.iapt.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/83079-iapt-perinatal.pdf

Psychological support ‘can cut mothers’ depression’
Providing new mothers with psychological support can cut their risk of developing postnatal depression, according to research published today 16/01/2009
More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=66949

More than just ‘the baby blues’
Postnatal depression is a very common condition. Here are some facts about it:
16/01/2009
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=66951

The Mental Health Foundation, the UK s leading mental health research charity, and MyDish.co.uk launched a new recipe website for those interested in knowing more about the links between healthy eating and a healthy mind.
More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=66890

Good luck in your career ladies!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com