- Article: McCaul A, Stokes J (2011) Perinatal support to protect maternal mental health. Nursing Times; 107: 48, 16-18.
- Author: Anthony McCaul is senior media and campaigns officer; Jayne Stokes is director of business development; both at Family Action.
Key points
- One in six mothers is affected by perinatal mental health issues and stress
- Early intervention is crucial to better relationships and child development
- The Family Action perinatal support project complements the health visitor role
- Volunteer befrienders can reduce anxiety and depression and improve mother-baby bonding
- This approach is a cost-effective way to improve perinatal mental health
Let’s discuss
- How does stress and mental health problems during pregnancy and after child birth affect
the relationship between the mother and child? - What interventions can be used to ensure healthy attachment between the mother and
child? - If women feel depressed or unable to cope, what barriers prevent women asking for help?
- How can befriending scheme help support women during pregnancy and childbirth?

From Putting it into practice
How do we put research into practice in the surgery or the hospital ward? Each week we’ll pick out a practice article and pose some topics for debate and you can pose your own questions too …Follow the weekly debates on twitter with #NTjournalclub


'Lansley must listen to nurses on the front line'





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