PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH

AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE

LIFE COURSE

Dr James Newham

Postdoctoral Research Associate

james.newham@ncl.ac.uk

Dr Raghu Lingam

Clinical Senior Lecturer

Mood disorders as a multi-dimensional

concept

Autonomic function (increased sympathetic nervous

system activation)

Psychological responses

(change in mood and affect)

Hormonal levels

(increased secretion of

cortisol)

‘U shaped curve’ of mood in pregnancy

Anxiety/

Stress/

Depression

scores

Trimester

Increased fear of childbirth

Aches and pains

Changes in occupation status

Uncertainity of fetus

Pregnancy sickness

Adapting to being a parent

1 2 3

‘U shaped curve’ of mood in pregnancy

Anxiety/

Stress/

Depression

scores

Trimester

Increased fear of childbirth

Aches and pains

Changes in occupation status

Uncertainity of fetus

Pregnancy sickness

Adapting to being a parent

1 2 3

Impact of stress in pregnancy on health

outcomes

• Obstetric• Assisted

labour

• Prolonged labour

• Preterm delivery

• Low birth weight

• Maternal• Depression

• Anxiety

• Psychosis

• Impaired attachment

• Infant• Behavioural

difficulties

• ADHD

• Cognitive performance

• Sleep problems

• Conduct disorders

Impact of stress in pregnancy on economic

outcomes

1 in 5 pregnant women experience anxiety or depression symptoms

Estimated that these mental health problems costs the NHS £1.2 billion each year

72% incurred from direct effects on the child, and NOT the mother

Economic impact of problem

Costs of perinatal DEPRESSION, impact on MOTHERS, £ per

case

Costs of perinatal ANXIETY, impact on MOTHERS, £ per case

Wider scope of problem -

Impact on CHILDREN, £ per case

The need to intervene early!

Current research programmes

Mothers

1. Maternal mental health in North Yorkshire

2. Brief Interventions for parental health

3. BaBBLeS (Bumps And BaBies Longitudinal

Study)

Young people

4. Preventative mental health interventions

for young people aged 12-19 years

Maternal mental health in North Yorkshire

Funder: North Yorkshire County Council

Research Team: K Jackson, E Henderson,

J Newham, M Balaam, D Hunter, R Lingam

Objectives

Identify how services are delivered in rural areas

Identify barriers and facilitators to effective delivery

Explore how women in rural areas describe their needs and

experiences relating to perinatal mental health

Brief interventions for parental health

Funder: New South Wales

Department of Education & Training

Research Team: J Newham, S Ginja,

L Hurt, K McLean, S Goldfeld, R Lingam

Objectives

Identify BRIEF interventions that can be adapted into Health

Visitor services

6 outcomes related to Healthy Child Program

Our focus

Parental Mental Health

Child Social and Emotional Wellbeing

BaBBLeS (Bumps And BaBies Longitudinal Study)

Funder: Best Beginnings

Research Team: R Lingam, S Ginja

Objectives

To explore impact of Baby Buddy app on maternal self-efficacy,

parenting competence and wellbeing

Cohort study exploring impact of intervention from antenatal to 6

months postnatal

Preventative mental health interventions for

young people

Funder: Institute for Local Governance

Research Team: J Newham, E Henderson,

R McGovern, J Shucksmith, L Spencer,

E Geijer-Simpson, S Russell, A Reynolds,

S Robalino, P McArdle, E Kaner, Raghu Lingam

Objectives

Meta-synthesis

Mapping of service provision

Systematic review of reviews of preventative interventions for

young people

Interviews/focus groups with young people & service providers

Preventative mental health interventions for young

people - Findings from systematic review

21 relevant reviews describing 65 unique trials.

Outcome

Intervention typePsychological/

EducationalOnline

Relaxation

Universal Indicated Universal Indicated

Depression ? ?

Anxiety ? ?

Mental

health

Promotion

? ? ?

Thank you for listening!

For further details contact:

James.newham@ncl.ac.uk

Twitter: @JamesJNewham