Better Start Bradford holds event to raise awareness and look at support

Better Start Bradford, which received a 10-year Big Lottery grant to work with families in the Bowling and Barkerend, Little Horton and Bradford Moor wards to give children the best possible start in life, is co-ordinating the free event, which coincides with Bradford Council’s Safeguarding Week.

Better Start Bradford (BSB) programme director Michaela Howell said mental health issues among new mums was a crucial topic. Based on national figures, BSB estimates about one in six expectant or new mums in the areas it covers suffer some form or anxiety or depression.

“So many women suffer anxiety and depression during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby, and this can have a lasting effect on them, their child, and the whole family," said Ms Howell.

“It’s a huge issue that doesn’t get spoken about enough.”

Better Start Bradford’s child health specialist Jo Howe said BSB was focusing some of its work on helping mums with mild to moderate types of mental health problems.

“Social isolation, being new to this country, being restricted and not being able to get out of the house might all make mums feel down but these feelings can be really detrimental to women and their babies and have a serious effect on family life,” she said.

“Emotions and hormones can also be the reason for feeling depressed or anxious but pregnancy itself can also bring up feelings that mums might have experienced in the past.

“There are also strong links with deprivation. When life is hard and women already have stresses about other areas of their lives, there is a much higher risk of suffering postnatal depression.”

Better Start Bradford projects already up and running include Welcome to the World group antenatal sessions for expectant mums and dads, a home visiting programme to support teenage first-time parents and their children and an emotional support programme helping families under pressure during pregnancy and the first year after their baby’s birth.