A consensus statement on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build

Leanne Jackson, Mari Greenfield, Elana Payne, Karen Burgess, Munira Oza, Claire Storey, Siân M. Davies, Kaat De Backer, Flora E. Kent-Nye, Sabrina Pilav, Semra Worrall, Laura Bridle, Nina Khazaezadeh, Daghni Rajasingam, Lauren Carson, Leonardo De Pascalis, Victoria Fallon, Julie Hartley, Elsa Montgomery, Mary NewburnClaire Wilson, Joanne A. Harrold, Louise M. Howard, Jane Sandall, Laura Magee, Kayleigh S. Sheen, Sergio A. Silverio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
33 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant lifecourse rupture, not least to those who had specific physical vulnerabilities to the virus, but also to those who were suffering with mental ill health. Women and birthing people who were pregnant, experienced a perinatal bereavement, or were in the first post-partum year (i.e., perinatal) were exposed to a number of risk factors for mental ill health, including alterations to the way in which their perinatal care was delivered. Methods: A consensus statement was derived from a cross-disciplinary collaboration of experts, whereby evidence from collaborative work on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic was synthesised, and priorities were established as recommendations for research, healthcare practice, and policy. Results: The synthesis of research focused on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal health outcomes and care practices led to three immediate recommendations: what to retain, what to reinstate, and what to remove from perinatal mental healthcare provision. Longer-term recommendations for action were also made, categorised as follows: Equity and Relational Healthcare; Parity of Esteem in Mental and Physical Healthcare with an Emphasis on Specialist Perinatal Services; and Horizon Scanning for Perinatal Mental Health Research, Policy, & Practice. Discussion: The evidence base on the effect of the pandemic on perinatal mental health is growing. This consensus statement synthesises said evidence and makes recommendations for a post-pandemic recovery and re-build of perinatal mental health services and care provision.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1347388
Pages (from-to)1-8
JournalFrontiers in Global Women's Health
Volume5
Issue number1347388
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Feb 2024

Keywords

  • Consensus Statement
  • COVID-19
  • Perinatal Mental Health
  • Women's Health
  • Recommendations for Policy and Practice

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A consensus statement on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this