Overview of challenges to implementation of good practice in perinatal mental health promotion and management, in universal primary care and community services

Abstract

Lucy Marks is the Chief Executive Officer at Compass Wellbeing CIC, London, UK. AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the barriers and solutions to implementing good practice in perinatal mental health promotion in universal services, and propose some ways forward. Design/methodology/approach -This paper describes the rationale and evidence base for proactive management of perinatal mental health in primary care and community services and good practice recommendations. Thereis considerable evidence that these recommendations have not been implemented nationally in the UK. A range of solutions and proposed ways forward to manage barriers to implementation are set out. Findings -It is proposed that a number of factors need to be in place in order to deliver best practice in perinatal mental health. Originality/value -The value of this paper is to set out what needs to be in place in order for services to promote good perinatal mental health and secure attachment and change the life chances of children and their parents, by intervening early. This will also ultimately save financial resources for public services, because the quality of early relationships is linked to health and mental health.

Related Health Service Provider with Mental Health during Pregnancy

“…The high number of women who associate symptoms of antenatal and postnatal depression with "normal responses" indicates that for pregnant women, at least, the signs and symptoms of mood disorders are often indistinguishable from other typical behaviors and experiences. This seems to be supported by the findings of this study that the cause of mental disorders most often identified during the perinatal period is a factor that is directly related to pregnancy (or becoming a mother) itself [13], [14].…”

Perinatal mental health issues: early recognition and management in primary care

“…If screening questions are skimmed over or rushed, they will not generate open discussion. This is supported by (Marks, 2017). There is a risk practitioners aim to 'tick a box' by asking the screening questions, and quickly move onto other agenda items.…”

“…There are limitations of NICE Guidance. There is growing evidence to suggest universal services are struggling to fully implement NICE guidance (Marks, 2017). The NICE guidelines focus almost exclusively on women.…”