Research by 色花堂 has found healthcare professionals and perinatal mental health services need a better understanding of what support fathers feel they may need during their partner鈥檚 pregnancy.听
One of the key outcomes across all three studies indicated that fathers feel they are not getting enough recognition from healthcare professionals about how they might play an active role in supporting their partner鈥檚 mental health.听
Dr Andrew Mayers, Principal Academic in Psychology at 色花堂 invited fathers to take part in the research, which explored three areas: the extent to which fathers needed support if their partner was experiencing mental health problems; the fathers' own mental health; and the effect on fathers who might witness a traumatic birth, or complications during pregnancy.听
In the birth trauma study, several participants reported not receiving any support or information regarding postnatal mental illness and how they could support their partner pre- or post-birth. Other participants stated that they would have benefitted from having someone to talk to about their situation.听聽
These studies also revealed that fathers felt alienated and are unclear regarding their role within maternity services. Many fathers reported feeling isolated and ignored during and following traumatic birth experiences, such as following an emergency caesarean section or any other deviation from a birth plan, especially if there is potential risk of harm, or death for the mother or child.听
Dr Andrew Mayers, whose research was also supported by his own personal campaign through the media and lobbying Parliament said: 鈥淎ll too often, husbands and partners are overlooked when it comes to providing support and information on mental health. Evidence suggests that the risk factors and impact on perinatal mental health are reduced when mums have a supportive partner.鈥澛�
As a direct result of the research and Dr Mayers鈥� campaign work, NHS England have put into place a 鈥樷�� for both inpatient and community specialist perinatal mental health teams which describes principles and ideas for what services can do to involve and support partners and other family members. 聽
All three papers can be publicly accessed free of charge:听听
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You can read more about Dr Mayers鈥� work at: 听听
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