EastEnders plot reflects plight of many new mothers, says mental health charity
A current EastEnders storyline about a new mother with postpartum psychosis mirrors unacceptable standards of care, according to a charity.
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