"Get postnatal mental illness out of hiding"

WARRINGTON South MP Faisal Rashid is supporting a campaign to get postnatal mental illness out of hiding.
Research by the charity NCT has shown that nearly half of new mothers’ mental health problems aren’t picked up by health professionals.
Mr Rashid said: “It’s shocking that so many new mothers aren’t getting the help they need and I realise this can have a devastating impact on women and their families.
“We must do more to help new mothers’ in this position, and that is why I am proud to be supporting NCT’s excellent HiddenHalf campaign to improve services in Warrington South and across the UK.”
The Hidden Half campaign aims to bring maternal mental illness out of hiding and is calling for improvements to the six-week postnatal check up to aid the diagnosis and treatment of new mothers’ mental health issues.
Sarah McMullen, head of knowledge at NCT, said: “Too many mothers are missing out on mental health treatment and support during the critical postnatal weeks and months. Disappointingly, health professionals are not asking some mothers about their emotional wellbeing. This has to change.”
NCT is calling for more funding and guidance for doctors so they are better equipped to discuss emotional health with mothers. The charity is urging people to sign up to the Hidden Half campaign at www.nct.org.uk/hiddenhalf