Barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services and suggestions for improvement: qualitative study of women of Black and south Asian backgrounds
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Authors
Jovanovia, Nikolina
Packer, Katy C.
Conneely, Maev
Bicknell, Sarah
Copello, Alex
McCabe, Rose
Dirik, Ayayal
Jankovia, Jelena
Issue Date
11/10/2024
Type
Journal article
Language
Keywords
Mental Health
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
Maternity outcomes for women from certain ethnic groups are notably poor, partly owing to their not receiving treatment from services. Aims To explore barriers to access among Black and south Asian women with perinatal mental health problems who did not access perinatal mental health services and suggestions for improvements, and to map findings on to the perinatal care pathway.
Method
Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in the UK. Data were analysed using the framework method.
Results
Twenty-three women were interviewed, and various barriers were identified, including limited awareness of services, fear of child removal, stigma and unresponsiveness of perinatal mental health services. Whereas most barriers were related to access, fear of child removal, remote appointments and mask-wearing during COVID-19 affected the whole pathway. Recommendations include service promotion, screening and enhanced cultural understanding.
Conclusions
Women in this study, an underrepresented population in published literature, face societal, cultural, organisational and individual barriers that affect different aspects of the perinatal pathway.
Description
Citation
BJPsych Bulletin, 49(5), 299–306. doi:10.1192/bjb.2024.82
Publisher
License
Journal
BJPsych Bulletin
Volume
49
Issue
5