Postnatal mental health: co-operation in community care

Abstract

Postnatal mental health problems – particularly postnatal depression – affect approximately 15 per cent of women in the United Kingdom (UK). In smaller numbers puerperal psychosis affects one or two women per 1000 births and usually requires the support of the specialist psychiatric services. This paper explores the roles of health visitors, midwives and community psychiatric nurses in the context of postnatal mental health. Different types of postnatal mental health issues are highlighted, and varying approaches to working with women who suffer with these problems are discussed. The focus on interventions in the primary care setting offers a starting point for community practitioners to demarcate their roles and promote their skills for effective outcomes for clients and their families. This paper concludes with a brief discussion about how community practitioners can collaborate in providing services for women with postnatal mental health problems.