The Family Action Perinatal Service in Hackney was set up six years ago and is supporting mothers, fathers and other members of the family, who suffer from perinatal depression.
A study conducted by the National Child and Maternal Health Intelligence Network (2016) has shown, that perinatal depression is more common for mothers, who don’t receive enough support or have a history of abuse or domestic violence.
The service works with families during pregnancy and supports them to at least one year after birth.
They work closely with midwives, GPs, Children’s Centres and health visitors, making the service more effective as it is a combined effort to support the affected families.
Hackney’s Perinatal Service enjoys great success with 88% of users showing a reduced anxiety and depression score after treatment.
The service is currently supported by Big Lottery Grant-funded work, but this funding is terminated and the service is set to close in June.
David Holmes CBE, chief executive of Family Action, told the Hackney Gazette: “Without alternative funding we will no longer be able to deliver this specialist work for mothers challenged by perinatal depression.”
Christina Ojala, 28, mother of one, says: “Luckily I didn’t fall into depression myself, but I know that it can be difficult sometimes. I think the service should be funded by the council, as it is very important for mothers to receive the support they need.”
Jane Elston, communication manager of Family action said: “We need around £60,000 to maintain the service at its current capacity helping around 30 mothers and their families with long term effective support for one year. We would be able to continue the service on a smaller amount of money, however this would mean supporting fewer women.”
A report by Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) reveals that 1 out of 10 women develop depression during pregnancy and postnatal years. The statistics for fathers are also on the rise.
Ojala adds: “I can imagine that it is especially hard for single mums as they don’t receive any support from partners.”
Plans for the closure are not final yet, but if the service is unable to find alternative funding it is forced to close in June.
For more information about the service and donations please visit: https://www.family-action.org.uk/get-involved/donate/
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