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INTERPERSONAL Shared decision making Shared decision making between healthcare professionals and women.​ Shared decision making. Resources. Shared decision making Shared decision making between women and health professionals may be a facilitator to perinatal mental health care. "Women with postpartum psychosis discussed the need for greater consultation and negotiation in antipsychotic prescription…​ … it would have been good I think to have been listened to about the side effects…It’s just they’re managing your risk.., maybe that’s what they’ve got to do clinically, but I wanted a bit more of a human face of it really."​ ​ Evidence level: ​Low ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Referral, Access to treatment, Provision of optimal treatment, Women’s experience of treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Megnin-Viggars O, et al. 2015 Resources NHS England provides guidance on shared decision making.​ Recommendations We recommend health professionals participate in continuing professional development activities related to perinatal mental health including participating in high quality training. ​ To ensure there are opportunities for health professionals and women to form trusting relationships, we recommend continuity of carer across the care pathway​. Back to Interpersonal

INTERPERSONAL Trusting relationship and rapport​ The development of a trusting relationship and rapport between health professionals and women​. Trusting relationship and rapport​. Difficulties developing a trusting relationship. Trusting relationship and rapport​ The development of a trusting relationship is a facilitator to perinatal mental health care. "It’s like family, almost. You know what I mean? It’ s somewhere where you already feel comfortable.​."​ ​ Evidence level: ​ High ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Deciding to consult, Assessment, Decision to disclose, Access to treatment, Provision of optimal treatment, Women’s experience of treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Young CA, et al. 2019 Difficulties developing a trusting relationship Difficulties developing a trusting relationship and rapport between health professionals and women is a barrier to perinatal mental health care​.​ ​ "I didn’t trust them I suppose so I didn’t tell the health visitors how I was feeling​".​ ​ ​Evidence level: High​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Deciding to consult, Assessment, Decision to disclose, Access to treatment, Provision of optimal treatment, Women’s experience of treatment​ ​ ​Key literature: ​ Shakespeare J, et al. 2003 Recommendations To ensure there are opportunities for health professionals and women to form trusting relationships, we recommend continuity of carer across the care pathway. A good example of this is The Tower Team based in the Tower Hamlets, London is a high-risk caseload midwifery team that works closely with the perinatal mental health team and the consultant obstetrician for mental health at St. Thomas’ hospital. The Tower Team offers continuity of care for women with severe mental illness from their maternity booking appointment, throughout pregnancy, intrapartum and for up to 28 days postpartum. Back to Interpersonal

Health Professionals Health professionals' knowledge​ Getting it right first time​ Health professionals’ attributes​ Back to Conceptual Framework

INDIVIDUAL Beliefs About Health Professionals ​Certain beliefs or understandings about health professionals can impact whether services are implemented and delivered successfully and whether women seek help and access services. Not Understanding Roles Believing health professionals won’t be interested Not Understanding Roles Not understanding the roles of health professionals and how they relate to perinatal mental health care can act as a barrier to care​. ​ "I never thought I had a right to talk about emotional problems as I was never told what the role of the nurse covers​". ​ Evidence level: Moderate confidence​​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Deciding to consult, Deciding to disclose, Access to treatment​ ​ Key literature: ​ Morrell J, et al. 2016 Believing health professionals won’t be interested Believing health professionals won’t be interested in perinatal mental health may act as a barrier to perinatal mental health care​. ​ "Many women believed they would not be taken seriously when discussing their PPD [postpartum depression] with professionals and reported they had experienced this in previous health encounters​".​ ​ ​Evidence level: Low​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Deciding to consult, Deciding to disclose​. ​ ​Key literature: ​ Hadfield H, et al. 2017 Recommendations We recommend the development of information aimed at increasing awareness of perinatal mental health services. This should include information about:​ Services available​. How to access support​. Maternity professionals and their roles in perinatal mental health care​. ​ We recommend this information is developed by individual trusts, or third-party organisations (e.g., the NCT) in collaboration with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Perinatal Mental Health Themes, The Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland, the National Managed Clinical Network, and the Royal Colleges. We have provided some guidance for women navigating an imperfect system here. Back to Individual

INDIVIDUAL Practical Difficulties Certain practical difficulties act as barriers to women seeking help and accessing perinatal mental health care, as well as the successful implementation and delivery of perinatal mental health care. These include:​ Lack of childcare​ Travel to services​ Timing and flexibility of services Lack of childcare Lack of childcare may act as a barrier to perinatal mental health care​​. ​ "They cannot take their child with them to their session. . .(and) a lot of times they cannot afford day care​​". ​ Evidence level: Low​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Access to treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Boyd RC, et al. 2011 Location and travel costs The location of services, and the costs of travelling to services may act as a barrier to perinatal mental health care​. ​ "Yes, there was the issue of travelling. I cannot drive and my husband was admitted to the hospital​".​ ​ ​Evidence level: Low​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Access to treatment​. ​ ​Key literature: ​ Masood Y, et al. 2015 Inflexible timing Inflexible timing of appointments may act as a barrier to perinatal mental health care​. ​ "Mothers …expressed concerns about the logistics of attending a group meeting due to already overburdened days…Some depressed mothers refused to seek treatment due to perceived insufficient time (42) and the inconvenience of attending appointments (21)​​".​ ​ ​Evidence level: Low​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Access to treatment​. ​ ​Key literature: ​ Dennis CL & Chung-Lee L. 2006 Recommendations More research is needed into practical barriers to accessing perinatal mental health care using rigorous methodology, before recommendations for policy and practice can be made. Back to Individual

Recommendations Recommendations for policy​ Many elements of the conceptual frameworks can be modified by policy makers and government activity (e.g. workforce provision, healthcare capacity, training etc). Therefore, we recommend policy makers review the frameworks and take comprehensive, strategic and evidence-based efforts to ensure there is an effective system of PMH care. ​ ​ Funding is required to ensure high quality care provision. Therefore, the provision of a comprehensively researched and adequate budget is needed so that all healthcare needs for that financial year can be met. Funding needs to be adequate for service needs and easily accessible. Funding structures may need to be revised depending on the needs of the community in which the service is delivered (e.g. affordable health insurance where free healthcare is not available). ​ ​ The reduction of health inequalities is needed. It is therefore advisable that policy is put in place: (i) improve equality between the sexes/genders by ensuring equal rights for women and men; (ii) in terms of ethnicity, for example changes at the legislative level are needed to protect those who have migrated to a different country from being penalised for accessing healthcare; and (iii) in terms of income, a fair and easily accessible welfare system is needed to prevent health inequalities based on deprivation.​ ​ To see this as in infographic click here Recommendations for practice (service managers) In terms of care, it is recommended that care is co-produced with women and is personalised and culturally appropriate. Increasing the flexibility and accessibility of services should be done through offering home visits and, where this is not possible, providing out-of-hours appointments located in an area with good transport links and an accessible building to allow for pushchairs. In addition, service managers could consider the provision of virtual consultations using web-based platforms, but women should be given the choice about whether virtual consultations are right for them.​ ​ Culturally sensitive care and increased accessibility of care is required for women who are unable to, or have difficulty speaking the country’s official language. This can be done via pictorial aids, the purchase of products such as Language Line, or through collaboration with translation agencies.​ ​ Technology can be a facilitator to PMH services in terms of assessment, referral and intervention. Thus, technology systems should be co-produced with HPs and women to ensure ease of usability and integration into the workflow.​ ​ Where not already implemented, multi-disciplinary teams should be created which facilitates choice and personalised care and ensures an adequate workforce to meet women’s needs. We need to break down silo working and encourage collaborative and joint working within and across services. Collaboration between services is needed with a focus on the identification and building of working relationships and networks with other services (e.g., Citizens Advice Bureau). Furthermore, the building of a coalition of health visitors, midwives, general practitioners, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies practitioners, psychologists and psychiatrists is needed to encourage referral and reduce the risk of women falling out of the care pathway.​ ​ HPs should be provided with high quality training that is delivered face-to-face and incorporates role play simulators where appropriate. This should include training in cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural mental health. Training time for HPs should be built into workloads and be protected.​ ​ To see this as in infographic click here​ Recommendations for practice (health professionals)​ A facilitator to perinatal mental health care was health professionals having good knowledge about perinatal mental health, services and referral pathways. Therefore, health professionals should participate in continuing professional development activities related to perinatal mental health including participating in high quality training. When in contact with women, health professional should listen to women’s concerns and take them seriously. Take the time to address their concerns and take responsibility of that woman to ensure she is referred to appropriate services. Provide assessment in a woman-centred way. Explain questions or wording that women are not clear about. Clearly discuss results with women and explain next steps.​ ​ To see this as in infographic click here Recommendations for women and families We have also designed recommendations for women and families – navigating the system, click here for this infographic.

SOCIETY Stigma​ Negative attitudes or discrimination against someone based on a distinguishing characteristic such as a mental illness, health condition, or disability. 1 ​ Barrier to perinatal mental health care. Stigma reduction​. Barrier to perinatal mental health care Stigma is a barrier to perinatal mental health care. "Oh well, I think there’s plenty, I mean I think there’s a huge stigma about feeling depressed particularly postnatal depression​."​ ​ Evidence level: ​ High ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Decision to consult, Assessment, Decision to disclose, Referral, Access to treatment, Provision of optimal treatment, Women’s experience of treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Shakespeare J, et al. 2003 Stigma reduction​ Research suggests public mental health campaigns can increase knowledge about mental illness and improve attitudes about people with mental illness. 2 ​ A UK based example was Time to Change: Video Recommendation NHS Mental Health Campaign focused on raising awareness of perinatal mental illness and reducing stigma for perinatal mental illness. Back to Society

References Atif N, Lovell K, Husain N, Sikander S, Patel V, Rahman A. Barefoot therapists: barriers and facilitators to delivering maternal mental health care through peer volunteers in Pakistan: a qualitative study. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2016;10:24. Mar 15. doi:10.1186/s13033-016-0055-9 ​ Atif N, Nazir H, Zafar S, Chaudhri R, Atiq M, Mullany LC, Rowther AA, Malik A, Surkan PJ and Rahman A (2020) Development of a Psychological Intervention to Address Anxiety During Pregnancy in a Low-Income Country. Front. Psychiatry 10:927. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00927 ​ Bina R, Barak A, Posmontier B, Glasser S, Cinamon T. Social workers' perceptions of barriers to interpersonal therapy implementation for treating postpartum depression in a primary care setting in Israel. Health Soc Care Community. 2018;26(1):e75-e84. doi:10.1111/hsc.12479 ​ Bina R. Predictors of postpartum depression service use: A theory-informed, integrative systematic review. 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Obstetric care provider engagement in a perinatal depression screening program. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2009;12(3):167-172. doi:10.1007/s00737-009-0057-6 ​ Lucas G, Olander EK, Ayers S et al. No straight lines – young women’s perceptions of their mental health and wellbeing during and after pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-ethnography. BMC Women's Health 19, 152 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0848-5 ​ Masood Y, Lovell K, Lunat F, et al. Group psychological intervention for postnatal depression: a nested qualitative study with British South Asian women. BMC Womens Health. 2015;15:109. Published 2015 Nov 25. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0263-5 ​ Megnin-Viggars O, Symington I, Howard LM, Pilling S. Experience of care for mental health problems in the antenatal or postnatal period for women in the UK: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. 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PLoS ONE 12(3): e0172385. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172385 ​ Shakespeare J, Blake F, & Garcia J. A qualitative study of the acceptability of routine screening of postnatal women using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of General Practice. 2003; 53(493), 614-619. ​ Sorsa MA, Kylmä J, Bondas TE. Contemplating Help-Seeking in Perinatal Psychological Distress-A Meta-Ethnography. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(10):5226. doi:10.3390/ijerph18105226 ​ Staneva AA, Bogossian F, & Wittkowski A. The experience of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Midwifery. 2015; 31(6), 563-573. ​ Watson H, Harrop D, Walton E, Young A, Soltani H. A systematic review of ethnic minority women's experiences of perinatal mental health conditions and services in Europe. PLoS One. 2019;14(1):e0210587. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210587 ​ Willey S, Gibson-Helm M, Finch T, East C, Khan N, Boyd L, & Boyle J. Implementing innovative evidence-based perinatal mental health screening for refugee women. Women and Birth. 2018; 31, S8. ​ Williams CJ, Turner KM, Burns A, Evans J, Bennert K. Midwives and women's views on using UK recommended depression case finding questions in antenatal care. Midwifery. 2016;35:39-46. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2016.01.015 ​ Young CA, Burnett H, Ballinger A, et al. Embedded Maternal Mental Health Care in a Pediatric Primary Care Clinic: A Qualitative Exploration of Mothers' Experiences. Acad Pediatr. 2019;19(8):934-941. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2019.08.004 ​

INTERPERSONAL Open and honest communication​ Open and honest communication between women and health professionals. Open and honest communication . A lack of open and honest communication. Open and honest communication ​ Open and honest communication between women and health professionals can be a facilitator to perinatal mental health care​. "And I was so grateful, and then I just talked to her, and it was so nice to be able to talk freely with her [about the EPDS ] at the time.​"​ ​ Evidence level: ​ Moderate ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Deciding to consult, Assessment, Decision to disclose, Women’s experience of treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Shakespeare J, et al. 2003 A lack of open and honest communication ​ A lack of open and honest communication between women and health professionals can be a barrier to perinatal mental health care​. ​ "Women reported that they were given incorrect or incomplete information because staff felt that they could not communicate with them, leaving them unsure of the appropriate places and people to talk to…​​".​ ​ ​Evidence level: Moderate​ ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Deciding to consult, Assessment, Decision to disclose, Women’s experience of treatment​. ​ ​Key literature: ​ Watson H, et al. 2019 Recommendations We recommend health professionals participate in continuing professional development activities related to perinatal mental health including participating in high quality training which focuses on communication skills​. ​ To ensure there are opportunities for health professionals and women to form trusting relationships and therefore encourage open and honest communication, we recommend continuity of carer across the care pathway​. Back to Interpersonal

POLICY MAKERS Economic status and healthcare costs How the cost of healthcare, and women's economic status may impact their perinatal mental health care journey. This can be exacerbated by women’s immigration status. Low income, no health insurance, high care costs. Human rights law​. Low income, no health insurance, high care costs Having a low income, no access to health insurance and the costs of health care can be a barrier "Yeah I know help is at hand.. but look at me! This house- I don't have landline. I have a phone. I have no credit on that phone. Even if I am in trouble, who am I going to call?​" ​ Evidence level: ​Moderate ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Decision to consult, Assessment, Referral, Access to treatment, Provision of optimal treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Bina R. 2020 Human rights law​ The UK government, under Article 25 of international human rights law , has a legal obligation to ensure: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of [them]self and of [their] family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond [their] control” and to ensure “Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.”​ Recommendations We recommend free healthcare for all at the point of access. ​ We recommend adequate financial support for those who are not eligible for free healthcare, that is easy to apply for​. ​ We recommend the government ensure a fair welfare and economic system that ensures that no one is living in poverty or in financial hardship.​ Back to Policy Makers

COMMISSIONERS Funding This refers to how services are paid for. A lack of funding. Funding complexities. A lack of funding A lack of funding or complexities in accessing funding can be a barrier​ to care. "We are unable to serve every woman in need of ongoing care. We are therefore working on additional funds, both internally and externally, to secure long-term physical and behavioural health care for our patients.​"​ ​ Evidence level: ​ Moderate ​ ​Parts of the care pathway affected: Decision to consult, Assessment, Referral, Access to treatment, Provision of optimal treatment​. ​ Key literature: ​ Doering JJ, et al. 2017 Funding complexities The government’s spending plans can be changed within the financial year. This can make it hard for services to plan their spending at the beginning of the year. See How Funding Flows by The King’s Fund for more information. Recommendations A clear and easy to access funding structure for commissioners and service managers​. ​ Continued policy support from NHS England, and the NHS related to perinatal mental health care, such as the publication of the Five Year Forward View and Long Term Plan for NHS England, and Delivering Effective Services report for NHS Scotland.​ ​ We recommend the provision of a comprehensively researched and adequate budget provided to the Department of Health and Social Care, Health and Social Care Directorates so all healthcare needs for that financial year can be met. Where possible, a reduction of in-year funding changes is needed to allow for more thorough and comprehensive service planning. Back to Commissioners