Health visitors can help post-natal depression
Training health visitors to assess and support mothers psychologically after childbirth can prevent the development of depression over the following year, according to a report by researchers from the universities of Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield published in the Cambridge University Press journal Psychological Medicine. But further research was prevented by the reduction in the number of visitors provided by the NHS.
The study showed a statistically significant reduction in future cases of depression in women living in the community who were not depressed when they joined the study.
However, according to Professor Terry Brugha, of the University of Leicester Clinical Division of Psychiatry: "When the research team set out to repeat and develop further this research they were unable to make sufficient progress because in most parts of England there has been a substantial reduction in the number of health visitors funded by the NHS. Mothers were fortunate if they receive just one home visit from a health visitor. Health visitors were unable to take time off to undergo the extra training in assessment of depression and psychological support approaches."
Professor Brugha said: "Up until now, it was thought that depression could only be treated when it is picked up by a GP or health visitor.
"But this study shows that women are less likely to become depressed in the year after childbirth if they are attended by an NHS health visitor who has undergone additional training in specific mental health assessment and in psychological approaches based on either cognitive behavioural or listening techniques.
"Women receiving usual care were significantly more likely to develop depression six months after childbirth.
"Therefore the research team at the University of Leicester are now considering undertaking further research on prevention of post-natal depression in other parts of the world."
Post-natal depression is thought to affect about one in ten women following, depending on the definition and the method used to assess the condition.
Source: Mental Health Foundation