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HELP FOR POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
Two separate research studies, one in England and the other in
Canada have found that, in spite of the real damage to mothers,
their partners, their new babies and the wellness of any siblings,
depression after childbirth is still massively undetected.
13% of women suffer postnatal depression
However, with psychological support by health visitors properly trained
to spot early signs, mothers were half as likely to develop postnatal
depression as those who had not been given counselling help.
The Canadian study also found that by assigning each mother to
a volunteer who had herself experienced postnatal depression,
similar success rates were seen. These volunteers received four
hours training and delivered their peer support in the form of
regular telephone conversations. Both studies concluded that this
kind of personal service was far more effective than the traditional
GP referral, being drug free and more likely to prevent postnatal
depression by instilling awareness early, before problems had
chance to arise.
Psychological support from health visitors helps
prevent the damaging effects of baby blues
The British Medical Journal published both studies – the first led
by Dr. C Jane Morrell from Sheffield University and the second by
Professor Cindy-Lee Dennis from the University of Toronto.
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