NHS perinatal mental health care at bursting point

A leading perinatal mental health charity is warning that thousands of people with pre and postnatal depression are having to wait too long to access NHS treatment.

PANDAS Foundation says demand for its services is now 70% higher than pre-pandemic levels and warns it’s inundated with reports of sufferers unable to access NHS support.

A new study of over 1,000 people who have sought NHS support for mental health issues caused by pregnancy or becoming a parent shows that over a quarter (27%) didn’t feel their concerns were taken seriously when first contacting the NHS.

Freya spoke to Annie Belasco, head of charity at PANDAS Foundation.