Improving perinatal mental health

Third-sector organisations are set to increase the availability of services for mums at risk of poor mental health during and after pregnancy.

A grant of £225,000 has been allocated to 11 organisations as part of a £1 million investment in perinatal mental health services for mums and families announced by the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in August.

All the organisations will also be offered additional perinatal mental health training for staff.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said:

“Mental illness during and after pregnancy is common, affecting one in five women. We want all mums to get the best possible support, and working with third sector partners is one way we can widen access to services and advice.

“Charities provide an invaluable service by offering peer-to-peer support and counselling and helping to build confidence to help make the leap into parenthood and family life a bit easier.  

“We are investing £50 million to improve perinatal and infant mental health services and it is vital that women, young children and families are able to access services in the right place at the right time.”

Background

List of third-sector organisations receiving funding:

We invited applications for third sector organisations who provide perinatal and infant mental health support services to apply for funding, with the focus on sustaining their existing service.

The aim of the fund is to sustain current provision and develop a national approach to non-clinical interventions for women, partners and families – to meet the needs of those 11,000 women and families who might benefit for additional support.

The projects must fulfil the following outcomes:

• Women/primary caregivers who use the service experience improved mental wellbeing.
• Women/primary caregivers experience improved confidence and satisfaction with parenting and the parent/infant relationship.
• Family/partner engagement in supporting women and developing the parent/infant relationship is improved.
• Woman/primary caregivers have access to further help, information and support and are referred to NHS or other services as appropriate.

Data will be collected to demonstrate reach and outcomes of the service.

In August 2019 we announced £1 million for services to support new mums at risk of poor mental health. The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Programme Board Delivery Plan 2019-20, backed by £50 million of investment, outlines what we are doing to improve perinatal and infant mental health for women and families across Scotland.