Anxiety and mood changes can affect all groups of parents, no matter the circumstances or stage of parenthood. These feelings can become overwhelming or controlling, and it is important for new parents to know how/where to seek help.
As many as 1 in 5 new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMD). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated; often with tragic and long-term consequences to mothers, children, and fathers alike.
Postnatal depression and anxiety disorders have also been shown to disproportionally affect BAME mothers. An article published in Metro newspaper last year* suggests that “postnatal depression or anxiety in BAME mothers is 13% higher than in white mothers."
In the past decade several studies have sought to address this issue, with at least one** suggesting that gaps between UK policy and practice may be a major contributory factor. In particular, the healthcare professionals studied reported "inadequacies in training and lack of confidence both for identifying the specific needs of Black women and for managing perinatal depression more generally, particularly in women with mild/moderate and ‘subthreshold’ depression."
Positive action
Building up a support network of friends, family and other supporters can have a beneficial impact, and several groups exist to specifically support BAME parents:
The Motherhood Group was established to share and support the black maternal experience through events, workshops, peer support, projects and advocacy.
The charity Barnardo’s now have a specific helpline for BAME parents, the Boloh helpline.
Helpline staff are either Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community, or have prior professional experience of delivering services to children, young people and their families from these communities.
Resources:
Groups and helplines
Barnardo’s Boloh Helpline - 0800 151 2605 email: Boloh.helpline@barnardos.org.uk
website: https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk/supporting-information
The Motherhood Group: https://www.themotherhoodgroup.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/themotherhoodgroup/?hl=en
West Sussex Mind Families in Mind parental mental health support group: West Sussex Mind | Families with young children
Further reading
* https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/24/black-women-neglected-12406357/
