Postnatal depression: NHS is failing new mothers, say researchers

[alp227]

Mothers with postnatal depression are being failed by the National Health Service, which is ignoring international guidelines on the condition.

Researchers from the charity 4Children surveyed all health trusts in England and Wales to find out what sort of treatment was being received by the one in 10 new mothers who suffers from the condition. They found that, of those whose symptoms were recognised at all by their GPs, the vast majority were being prescribed antidepressants, against guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, which recommends "talking therapies" – counselling and cognitive behavioural treatments – for mild and moderate cases of the so-called "baby blues".

The survey, by parenting club Bounty on behalf of 4Children, also found that few health authorities were collecting information on the prevalence or severity of postnatal depression, while others seemed to have only a patchy understanding of the issue.

There were vast disparities between those who did hold information – two primary care trusts claimed they had had only one case in the past year, while another reported 1,350 cases. Only 9% of health trusts were keeping track of the condition in their area.

full: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/01/nhs-failing-postnatal-depression-women

[dipsydoodle]

1. And what happens in the USA?

i do of course assume you've got a "free" equivalent.