MATRIx 2

The MATRIx study is led by researchers at City, University of London in collaboration with experts in London. Despite significant improvements in perinatal mental health services, there are still gaps in access for women from ethnic minority groups . MATRIx 2 wants to understand why this is, and develop recommendations for perinatal mental health care that are sensitive to women's faith and culture to overcome barriers.

Aims

To use an evidence-based co-design approach to co-create a culturally tailored care pathway and recommendations for perinatal mental health care aimed at overcoming some of the barriers identified by the MATRIx 1 project.

Objectives:

(1) Identify barriers to accessing/implementing PMH care from women, health professionals and service manager’s perspectives.

(2) Develop care that is appropriate to women's needs, including being culturally and religiously sensitive

(3) Create outputs for services and women

We formed a group of 7 women with lived experience of perinatal mental health difficulties, and a group of 7 health professionals who work with women in the perinatal period.

Methods

We carried out interviews with women and health professionals to identify which barriers identified by the MATRIx 1 study were relevant to these groups, and if any additional barriers were identified.

We worked with the women and health professionals to co-produce culturally and faith-sensitive recommendations for perinatal mental health care, and an updated perinatal mental health care pathway. We are currently writing up these results to be published and shared.

Supporting Organisations

Funding

This project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration North Thames. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.