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2014 and maternal mental health

Posted by Elaine Hanzak on 14 Jan 2014 / 1 Comment


Happy New Year! I do hope that you had a restful and happy festive season and are ready for 2014 with renewed enthusiasm. I had a very special Christmas morning in that my son was in the same house as me for the first time since his father and I parted. I was very tempted to put out the mince pie and sherry for Father Christmas for him – at 17 he would not have been impressed! New Year’s Eve was spent being his lift and B & B for some of his friends. I loved it.

2014 for me will see the publication of my next book. The survey for people to complete on ‘Contemplating pregnancy after a postnatal illness’ is still open. I very much appreciate the contribution of those who have already completed it and am looking forward to the research I shall be doing once I close the survey at the end of this month. Please e-mail me at elaine@hanzak.com if you wish to participate.  It is also featured in the latest Perinatal and Infant Mental Health eBulletin.

Before I move totally onto this year I wanted to highlight some of the information around maternal mental health and parenting I discovered last month, to share with you.

I am thrilled to have been asked by Sharon Trotter, a midwife, mother and baby consultant and author, http://www.tipslimited.co.uk/ to contribute to The National Parent Guide. This is given out at registry offices and maternity units in a hard copy and is available online too. In a previous edition, maternal mental health was not even mentioned. On page 56 you will see my article which is meant to highlight that early parenthood may not be easy or happy for everyone and some links on where to get more help.

I attended the Royal College of Psychiatrists perinatal mental health meeting towards the end of last year. There were some very interesting presentations around:

There were workshops on perinatal outreach services; management of perinatal bi-polar illness plus black and ethnic minority women and perinatal care. We also had the honour of listening to some psychiatric trainee presentations. Please look at their website for more useful information.

I was pleased to see Consultant Psychiatrist Angelika Wieck. Last time we met was on the sofa at BBC Breakfast last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA1Y1WZy7zU&feature=youtu.be

I also had the pleasure of chairing and presenting at ‘Improving the Quality of Perinatal Mental Health Services’ organised by Healthcare Conferences UK.   Earlier in the year we had held one of these days and due to its success, it was repeated. I shared my story and many useful links and resources with delegates. We heard from Dr Nigel Perks about ways in which his team within the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust identify and support new mothers experiencing distress.

Dr Jonathan Campion then spoke to us about ‘Improving Quality of Mental Health care for new mothers’ and addressing perinatal mental health unmet needs.   You can see their slides here.

We heard from Dr Rosie Shepperd and Gerry Byrne from Oxford Health who spoke passionately about their Infant-Parent Perinatal Service.  If you are looking for an example of great services in this area, then take a look. I like their Well-being journal that they have created for new mothers.

I was delighted that we had a wide range of healthcare professional there, including consultant obstetrician and gynaecologists, midwives and a senior lecturer. We also were delighted to welcome ladies from:

http://www.mothersformothers.co.uk/

http://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/

http://www.family-action.org.uk/

http://www.psspeople.com/#!pnd/cqi7

Whilst I was in London I met up with Mark Platt, the policy advisor from the Royal College of Nursing. He showed me around the new Royal College of Nursing Library. It is home to Europe’s largest nursing specific collection of books, journals and e-resouces. Take a look here.  You can also use the cafe there. You will find it at 20 Cavendish Square – just at the back of John Lewis on Oxford Street.  I will be going back to do some research on my next book.  They also have a seminar room which can be hired.  E-mail service.delivery@rcn.org.uk for details.

I always am encouraged by the enthusiasm, determination and interest in this area of maternal mental health. We just need the investment by the commissioners in providing long term services to reduce the suffering of many.

One event you may be interested in that is free to attend is The Journal of Family Healthcare Live on March 25th in London. I will be speaking there.  Sign up at http://www.jfhc.co.uk/jfhc_live_2014.aspx

So which resource(s) from this blog will you share with others?

Wishing you a healthy and happy 2014

Elaine 🙂

 

 





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