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EastEnders plot reflects plight of many new mothers, says mental health charity

Maternal Mental Health Alliance hopes soap storyline will raise awareness of perinatal mental illnesses

A current EastEnders storyline about a new mother with postpartum psychosis mirrors unacceptable standards of care, according to a charity.

Stacey Branning (played by Lacey Turner).  Picture credit: Jack Barnes, BBC

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) has begun a campaign on the issue called Everyone’s Business, and points to the experience of BBC soap character Stacey Branning, played by Lacey Turner.

The alliance said there is a shortage of around 60 mother and baby unit beds in the UK and that 38% of women in the perinatal period in England, 43% in Scotland, 70% in Wales and as many as 80% in Northern Ireland have no access to specialist perinatal mental health community services.

MMHA chair Alain Gregoire said: ‘The NHS should be held to account to ensure these are available for women and their babies throughout the UK.’

See the campaign here