Dr Andrew Mayers Senior Lecturer in Psychology at BU, and national mental health campaigner and educator, has attended a debate at the House of Lords looking on maternal mental health.
In his role as an expert in maternal mental health, he was invited to sit on a panel of fellow healthcare experts.
The debate, chaired by Baroness of Shaws, Helena Kennedy QC, focused on presenting evidence about the need for more investment in maternal mental health care.
Also in attendance, listening and contributing to the proceedings were 70 campaigners, professionals and charity leaders from across the UK.
The debate, attended by several members of the Lords, explored the impact of perinatal mental illness – not just on the mother but also on the entire family, but especially the developing child.
Dr Mayers said: “Perinatal Illness costs the UK economy £8billion per year and yet an investment of £335million a year would ensure that every mother has access to high quality mental health services. There is a human cost too, as mothers are needlessly dying. Suicide is the single biggest cause of death in women of child-bearing age. We can prevent this.”
