Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath
Introduction As countries adopt strict quarantines and lockdowns, increasing attention has been given to the impact on mental wellbeing. The influence of this on perinatal mental health and service provision is important to consider, as these women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative ef...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821007331/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827753662678564864 |
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| author | E. Rose M. Manoharan J. Powell |
| author_facet | E. Rose M. Manoharan J. Powell |
| author_sort | E. Rose |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
As countries adopt strict quarantines and lockdowns, increasing attention has been given to the impact on mental wellbeing. The influence of this on perinatal mental health and service provision is important to consider, as these women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects already seen in general and psychiatric populations.
Objectives
The impact on global mental health of Covid-19, and the isolation measures used to combat it’s spread, is increasingly acknowledged. We were interested in the effect the pandemic has had specifically on the mental health of women in the peripartum period. By reflecting on our experiences, we hope to generate ideas to improve services.
Methods
We considered the effects of the pandemic in this high-risk population during each stage of contact with services. This included pre-conception, antenatal and postnatal periods, as well as the potential longitudinal and service effects. Recent case examples were identified and described from our busy and diverse South London perinatal psychiatry service.
Results
Recent referrals to our service suggest the current crisis has been a key trigger for the deterioration of many women’s mental health. This includes women who have been impacted by various factors related to the pandemic, at all stages of the perinatal period.
Conclusions
It is vital to maintain equality of access to perinatal services and to continue to consider how to deliver best care. This will involve adapting to the new working environment, and optimising care delivery using remote technologies where appropriate, in a way that is safe, accessible and acceptable to service users.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:38:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f3a3bc9b95bf4e0193c0284bf48fc17b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:38:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-f3a3bc9b95bf4e0193c0284bf48fc17b2023-11-17T05:09:02ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852021-04-0164S273S27310.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.733Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heathE. Rose0M. Manoharan1J. Powell2Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, THE MAUDSLEY HOSPITAL, LONDON, United KingdomPerinatal Mental Health, SOUTH LONDON AND MAUDSLEY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, LONDON, United KingdomMaudsley Simulation Team, SOUTH LONDON AND MAUDSLEY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, LONDON, United Kingdom Introduction As countries adopt strict quarantines and lockdowns, increasing attention has been given to the impact on mental wellbeing. The influence of this on perinatal mental health and service provision is important to consider, as these women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects already seen in general and psychiatric populations. Objectives The impact on global mental health of Covid-19, and the isolation measures used to combat it’s spread, is increasingly acknowledged. We were interested in the effect the pandemic has had specifically on the mental health of women in the peripartum period. By reflecting on our experiences, we hope to generate ideas to improve services. Methods We considered the effects of the pandemic in this high-risk population during each stage of contact with services. This included pre-conception, antenatal and postnatal periods, as well as the potential longitudinal and service effects. Recent case examples were identified and described from our busy and diverse South London perinatal psychiatry service. Results Recent referrals to our service suggest the current crisis has been a key trigger for the deterioration of many women’s mental health. This includes women who have been impacted by various factors related to the pandemic, at all stages of the perinatal period. Conclusions It is vital to maintain equality of access to perinatal services and to continue to consider how to deliver best care. This will involve adapting to the new working environment, and optimising care delivery using remote technologies where appropriate, in a way that is safe, accessible and acceptable to service users. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821007331/type/journal_articlePerinatal PsychiatryCovid-19Maternal Mental HealthCoronavirus |
| spellingShingle | E. Rose M. Manoharan J. Powell Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath European Psychiatry Perinatal Psychiatry Covid-19 Maternal Mental Health Coronavirus |
| title | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath |
| title_full | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath |
| title_short | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental heath |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on maternal mental heath |
| topic | Perinatal Psychiatry Covid-19 Maternal Mental Health Coronavirus |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821007331/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT erose impactofthecovid19pandemiconmaternalmentalheath AT mmanoharan impactofthecovid19pandemiconmaternalmentalheath AT jpowell impactofthecovid19pandemiconmaternalmentalheath |