This morning we launched our new report Āhurutia Te Rito | It takes a village, on @NewshubNationNZ. It argues that improving perinatal mental health could be transformational for whānau and communities and should be a public health priority. Here's a🧵summarising key insights.
Up to 50% of new parents in Aotearoa NZ experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Having a new baby is joyful, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. New parents and pēpi need plenty of aroha and support. But many new parents in Aotearoa are struggling.
Having a new baby is joyful, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. New parents and pēpi need plenty of aroha and support. But many new parents in Aotearoa are struggling.
Perinatal distress creates suffering and stress for affected parents. It can lead to self-harm, family breakdown, and preventable death.
Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in Aotearoa. Wāhine Māori are three times more likely to die by suicide within six weeks of giving birth than Pākehā. This is intolerable.
No baby should start their life bereaved.
No baby should start their life bereaved.
Perinatal distress is widespread, complex, and linked to wider inequities. The causes are systemic, and so are the solutions.
“Interventions and prevention strategies for perinatal mental health should be a public health priority.” – The Lancet
“Interventions and prevention strategies for perinatal mental health should be a public health priority.” – The Lancet
We need a plan to improve perinatal mental wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our leaders and policy-makers should make improving perinatal mental health a key priority of the transformed health system.
Our leaders and policy-makers should make improving perinatal mental health a key priority of the transformed health system.
This means alleviating sources of distress for new parents, and investing in communities so that whānau can get the support they need, when they need it.
Read the full report or a policy summary in a range of formats here: helenclark.foundation/publications-a…
Ngā mihi nui to The Tindall Foundation for their support, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Liz Harte, and Nazia for insightful Q&As, and @PMHNZ @mentalhealthnz @InformedFutures @PlunketNZ Te Hiringa Hauora, Asian Family Services, and all who helped with review, contacts, and resources!💜💚🧡
Having had my own experience with perinatal distress eight years ago (well canvassed elsewhere), this was a passion project for me, and I'm very grateful to @HelenClarkFound and @HelenClarkNZ for the opportunity. #ĀhurutiaTeRito #ItTakesAVillage
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