Health visitors 'can help depressed mums'

Training health visitors to assess and support mothers psychologically after childbirth can prevent the development of depression over the following year, according to a report published today.

But the substantial reduction in the number of NHS health visitors was identified by researchers as a key issue for mothers' health and wellbeing.

The study, by researchers from the universities of Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham, showed a statistically-significant reduction in future cases of depression in women living in the community who were not depressed when they joined the study.

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Professor Terry Brugha, of the University of Leicester Clinical Division of Psychiatry, Department of Health Sciences, said: "Up until now, it was thought that depression could only be treated when it is picked up by a GP or health visitor.

"But this study shows that women are less likely to become depressed in the year after childbirth if they are attended by an NHS health visitor who has undergone additional training in specific mental health assessment and in psychological approaches based on either cognitive behavioural or listening techniques.

"Women receiving usual care were significantly more likely to develop depression six months after childbirth.

"However, when the research team set out to repeat and develop further this research they were unable to make sufficient progress because in most parts of England there has been a substantial reduction in the number of health visitors funded by the NHS. Mothers were fortunate if they receive just one home visit from a health visitor. Health visitors were unable to take time off to undergo the extra training in assessment of depression and psychological support approaches."

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Depression is thought to affect about one in 10 women following childbirth, depending on the definition and method used to assess depression.

The research is published in the journal Psychological Medicine.