Funding to boost perinatal mental health support

The Rotherham Council-funded initiative will boost perinatal mental health support in the town and further afield

Thousands of pounds is to be spent on improving support for pregnant women and new parents in South Yorkshire who are struggling with their mental health.

The Rotherham Council funding, worth about £300,000, will pay for two specialist health visitors to be recruited by the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

The new roles will provide specialised care in perinatal mental health to support the emotional and mental health of both parents and infants from conception through the first year of life.

It will be funded from a ring-fenced public health grant, meaning the additional costs will not impact other council services.

• BBC Action Line: Information and support for pregnancy-related issues

A specialist community public health nurse will also be recruited as part of the move, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

About £50,000 will be used to enhance a local scheme which coordinates support for children and families who need help from multiple services.

According to the NHS, one in 10 women suffer from postnatal depression.

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