Festival of Social Science Interview with Dr. Angus Macbeth, Dr. Laura Cariola and Prof. Matthias Schwannauer.
Researchers have joined with Crossreach Perinatal Services and NHS Lothian: A Sense of Some Place to organise an event for parents, families and carers to talk to healthcare professionals about how mental health services could be improved. Journeys through pregnancy and mental health took place on November 7 at A Sense of Some Place, Walpole Hall in Edinburgh.
What are the main issues you hope to tackle through this event?
We hope to raise awareness of the importance of mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth, both in terms of the health of the mother and of their infant.
Why is this event timely?
There is increased awareness that mental health during pregnancy has a lasting impact, and also that we need to improve health and social care for maternal mental health. In particular we are keen to know in what ways service can be more responsive and sensitive to the needs of women and their support networks during this time.
What do you hope participants can get out of coming along?
We hope that participants will be willing to share their experiences of mental health during and immediately after pregnancy. We want to know what participants found helpful, but also what improvements could be made.
What impact does your work have on society?
Our work in perinatal mental health is important given the increased understanding that health and wellbeing is a holistic process. Also, maternal mental health is an area that affects not just the individual, but also the infant and their supports.
What are the main challenges you face in increasing awareness of issues surrounding pregnancy and mental health?
There remains a great deal of stigma around mental health, including mental health in pregnancy. In addition, we know that mental health in general is affected by adversity and inequality.
Why is taking part in the festival of social sciences important to you?
The aim of our research is to highlight the importance of perinatal mental health, and to help design better systems to support women during this time. The festival of social science is vital for us to communicate our aims, but also to hear from women as to what they want good perinatal mental health to be.
Why is it important that the University takes part in the festival of social science?
The University has an obligation to contribute to society and debate about how to make society better. The festival of social science brings this directly to people and enables that conversation to happen.