On the 7th of May I was privileged to attend a perinatal mental health debate in the house of lords arranged by an inspiring mum, writer and artist called Sanchita Islam, who suffered postpartum psychosis and now campaigns for support and awareness. I was invited by Raja Gangopadhyay, a wonderful Consultant Obstetrician who campaigns for perinatal mental health support within maternity services. To say I was overwhelmed to be asked is an understatement.
So off I went to London, nervous, apprehensive and excited. This was to be the experience of a lifetime, and I was going to seize it with everything I had. So after a cup of tea and a lovely piece of cake I departed my train to be welcomed by a thundery London, lightening cutting through the heavy, humid air.
Also coming to the debate were many of those working hard in perinatal mental health, people I have met on twitter and facebook and although I feel like I know them, most I have never actually met. The meeting place was a pub called the sanctuary, which was so aptly named and as ones began to arrive, and there was hugs, laughter and the deep respect that comes with a shared purpose.
So after a little food, rest and rehydrating off we went, the walk to the House of Lords wasn’t far but full of wonderful sights, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye. I wanted to stop and take pictures but time was of the essence. Security checks, bags searched, body scans all done we made our way through the House of Lords to our room.
To say the House of Lords is beautiful just doesn’t do it justice, I felt in awe and tried to soak in all the wonders around me. Passing through a door held open for me by a well known politician I felt very much star stuck, and even more so when he remarked that he recognised me. As we finally climbed the stairs to our room, hot and sticky in the overpowering humid heat it was finally time to take our seats.
As quiet fell in the room I looked around. I was in awe. It was filled with wonderful people all working so hard in perinatal mental health, doctors, consultants, health visitors, campaigners and of course those with lived experience of perinatal mental health. Baroness Shaws, Helena Kennedy QC opened the debate and we were off.
We heard from doctors both in acute but also Gp’s and those working in the perinatal mental health frontline. We heard from those who campaign, run charities to support women, those who are helping to set up services and those who have been affected by perinatal mental health. Sanchita gave a very moving speech about her own experience of psychosis and how she was failed by mental health services. Her pain and frustration was clear to see and I too could relate to that feeling, of being alone and unable to find the support so desperately needed. Others too recounted their experiences, that were moving, powerful and heartbreaking. We heard also from those who are trying hard to put in place the services that women and families need, what barriers they face and what they too feel.
So what were the main points that this important debate highlighted?
Well of course that there just isn’t enough specialist perinatal mental health services available. Interestingly it was highlighted that this isn’t just a national issue but a global issue.
It was also highlighted that there needs to be more mother and baby units to keep families together and provide support when critical care is needed. A really important point however that was raised was there are many women who need support who aren’t ill enough to be admitted to a unit, but are in the depths of perinatal mental health’s grip. These struggle to find the support needed and thus can spiral into more deeper illnesses as a result.
Prevention was mentioned, and the need to look at ways to address what may be causing perinatal mental health issues, this included care at birth, support for pre-existing mental health issues, discussions about perinatal mental health disorders antenatally and practical support for new parents as they transition to parenthood. It was also mentioned that sometimes the policies and processes that are in place prevent those working in perinatal mental health from supporting families in the ways that are needed.
It was also highlighted about those that fall through the gaps, those that have experienced loss be it in neonatal, stillbirth or first/second trimester loss, by very moving personal accounts. Often these families don’t receive any support, but are left to ‘fend for themselves’. This desperately needs to change. #MatExp was highlighted and the work it is doing around those who are deemed ‘nobody’s patient’ but making sure that perinatal mental health also covers those who haven’t been able to take their babies home is a massive area that needs addressing. So too dads and partners were mentioned as also being missed and not being given the support or access to services that they need.
For me personally the debate talked about things very close to my heart. Compassion, kindness and empathy were an overall theme, as was really listening to women and their families and what they need. The positive impact that peers support can have in helping women feel less alone and able to reach out for help. But most of all the part that birth trauma plays in perinatal mental health, the impact that it has and why it is important that the care given helps prevent birth trauma and protects families at such a vulnerable time.
It was also a privilege to be able to mention my own struggle to assess help and unfold your wings.
Have I got over the fact that I was in the House of Lords surrounded by wonderful, amazing, inspiring people yet? No, I think that will take a while. But what I do know is we are stronger together, we can bring about change, we can all support each other on the days when we feel that the mountain is just to big to climb and that we must never underestimate the difference we can make when we listen to those needing help and put them at the centre of all we do.
In London we were surrounded by much grandeur, Big Ben towered over us and very much made its presence known, but sometimes, more than anything, it’s the little things that matter, but sadly these are the things that so often get forgotten.
Wonderful, heartfelt report, Emma. In your hambleness, you have given a sense of the full breath of the experience. With love, Antonella
Thank you. It was so lovely to meet you
Wonderful, heartfelt report, Emma. In your hambleness, you have given a sense of the full breath of the experience. With love, Antonella
Thank you. It was so lovely to meet you
Wonderful, heartfelt report, Emma. In your hambleness, you have given a sense of the full breath of the experience. With love, Antonella
Thank you. It was so lovely to meet you
Fantastic account! I feel just the same. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you Elaine. X
Fantastic account! I feel just the same. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you Elaine. X
Fantastic account! I feel just the same. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you Elaine. X
Thank you for this piece. I left a rather long comment on your piece about the PNMH bandwagon as I am a health care professional who is really keen on supporting women during the perinatal period but I am finding it difficult to bring my services to them. I wonder if you could recommend any organisation or person who I could contact in regards to developing the services I can provide and how I can reach those who are in most need. I am particularly interested in offering support to women who know they are having difficulties but are not considered to be at risk and therefore not able to access mental health services. I know I have a lot to offer, not just as a therapist but as a women who has lived experience of pre and post natal depression. My children are teenagers now but I still remember how difficult their early months were, how isolated I felt and how difficult it was to admit I needed help. I know that dramatherapy can be used effectively in the treatment of many forms of mental health issues and I would love to see it being used in the support and treatment of PNMH. I do hope you will get in touch and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for this piece. I left a rather long comment on your piece about the PNMH bandwagon as I am a health care professional who is really keen on supporting women during the perinatal period but I am finding it difficult to bring my services to them. I wonder if you could recommend any organisation or person who I could contact in regards to developing the services I can provide and how I can reach those who are in most need. I am particularly interested in offering support to women who know they are having difficulties but are not considered to be at risk and therefore not able to access mental health services. I know I have a lot to offer, not just as a therapist but as a women who has lived experience of pre and post natal depression. My children are teenagers now but I still remember how difficult their early months were, how isolated I felt and how difficult it was to admit I needed help. I know that dramatherapy can be used effectively in the treatment of many forms of mental health issues and I would love to see it being used in the support and treatment of PNMH. I do hope you will get in touch and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for this piece. I left a rather long comment on your piece about the PNMH bandwagon as I am a health care professional who is really keen on supporting women during the perinatal period but I am finding it difficult to bring my services to them. I wonder if you could recommend any organisation or person who I could contact in regards to developing the services I can provide and how I can reach those who are in most need. I am particularly interested in offering support to women who know they are having difficulties but are not considered to be at risk and therefore not able to access mental health services. I know I have a lot to offer, not just as a therapist but as a women who has lived experience of pre and post natal depression. My children are teenagers now but I still remember how difficult their early months were, how isolated I felt and how difficult it was to admit I needed help. I know that dramatherapy can be used effectively in the treatment of many forms of mental health issues and I would love to see it being used in the support and treatment of PNMH. I do hope you will get in touch and look forward to hearing from you.