Tim Loughton MP attended a parliamentary event to support NCT’s #HiddenHalf campaign to get postnatal mental illness out of hiding.
The event aimed to raise Parliamentarians’ awareness of new mothers’ mental health problems. Recent research¹ by NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, found that nearly half of new mums’ mental health problems aren’t picked up by health professionals.
Tim 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. I’m supporting NCT’s excellent #HiddenHalf campaign to improve services in East Worthing and Shoreham and across the UK.”
Sarah McMullen, Head of Knowledge, 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’s #HiddenHalf 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 mums’ mental health issues.
The charity is calling for more funding and guidance for doctors so they are better equipped to discuss emotional health with mothers.
NCT is urging people to sign up to the Hidden Half campaign at www.nct.org.uk/hiddenhalf