The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee undertook a short inquiry into perinatal mental health in Scotland.
Perinatal mental health problems are mental health problems which occur during pregnancy and up to one year after a child’s birth. In most cases, mothers are the most impacted. However, these mental health problems can affect all caregivers and family members. The impact of the COVID pandemic may have increased mental health issues for all caregivers.
The aim of this inquiry was to explore the key issues facing new mothers during pregnancy and following the birth of a child that can impact mental health. It considered aspects such as new mother care, breastfeeding support and specialist training. It also considered the mental health impacts of bereavement from miscarriage and the death of an infant.
The inquiry also explored opportunities for perinatal mental health services in Scotland over the next five years and made recommendations for Scottish Government to help support new parents.
7 December 2021: The Committee took evidence from—
Selena Gleadow-Ware, Perinatal Faculty Chair, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Mary Ross Davie, Director for Professional Midwifery, Royal College of Midwives
Dr Arun Chopra, Executive Director (Medical), Mental Welfare Commission
Professor Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health, MBRACE
Cat Berry, Group Facilitator and Volunteer Coordinator, Juno Perinatal Mental Health Support
Joanne Smith, Chair, Maternal Health Scotland
Fiona Challacombe, Patron, Maternal OCD
Clea Harmer, Chief Executive, Sands.
Papers for the meeting on 7 December 2021
Minutes for the meeting on 7 December 2021
14 December 2021: The Committee took evidence from—
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Scottish Government
Maree Todd, Minister for Public Heath, Women's Health and Sport, Scottish Government
Hugh Masters, Chair of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Programme Board, Scottish Government
Ruth Christie, Head of Children, Young People and Families Unit, Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing, Directorate for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Scottish Government
Kirstie Campbell, Head of Maternal and Infant Health, Improving Health and Wellbeing, Directorate of Children and Families, Scottish Government.
Papers for the meeting on 14 December 2021
Minutes for the meeting on 14 December 2021
The Committee held an informal evidence session on 7 March 2022.
Read the collated notes (147KB, pdf) posted 21 April 2022
The Committee published its report on 8 February 2022.
The Scottish Government response to the report can be found in the Correspondence section.
The Parliament debated the report on 29 March 2022.