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Two-fifths of new parents experience depression or anxiety without support

RCN says outdated stigmas mean many are too afraid to seek professional help 

The RCN is calling for greater awareness of mental health problems during and following pregnancy, after a survey found 41% of new parents experienced depression or anxiety without any professional support.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by the RCN, questioned 2,000 new mothers and fathers and found that less than half of those who experienced anxiety or depression considered seeking help from a healthcare professional, with the majority relying on their partner or other relatives for support. 

Of those who did not seek professional support, 26% explained that they were ‘too afraid’, while 11% said they did not know support was available. 

RCN professional lead for midwifery and women’s health Carmel Bagness said: ‘There is still a stigma around mental health that must be addressed, but this stigma is even more pervasive when it comes to parents.

‘Too many parents worry that going through depression or anxiety means they will be deemed unfit parents, and this can be a hugely damaging assumption that is putting lives at risk and preventing people getting the support they deserve.

‘Too many women and men are suffering in silence because of outdated stigmas.’

The survey found 27% of fathers experienced depression or anxiety, yet 64% were not asked about their mental health at all during their partner’s pregnancy.