'Mums are dying and it's so preventable'

Lucy will never again dance with her three-year-old daughter or hold her 12-month-old baby boy. She died by suicide in September this year after suffering from postnatal depression and psychosis.

Her family say she was failed by mental health services. It was the second time Lucy suffered with the condition, but she had no extra support in her second pregnancy.

They are calling on the government to end what they say is a postcode lottery of perinatal mental health care.

Lucy's death is part of a bigger picture.

The postcode lottery of perinatal services is stark. Yet one in 10 women suffer from postnatal depression according to the NHS.

Research from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) reveals North Yorkshire, where Lucy lived, did not meet the care quality standards for perinatal care set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2023.

Karen Middleton, head of policy at MMHA, says mums are being failed by the lack of consistent maternal mental health care.

“Maternal mental health isn’t fully understood and has been historically under-invested," she said.

"We need to raise awareness so commissioners and managers at the local level provide sustainable funding that is based on the levels of need in their area.”

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Source: BBC News, 14 November 2024