Listening visits can be given to women experiencing mental illness by Health visitors.

What is it about?

This review explores national guidelines, and women's and health visitors' views on providing listening visits to women with mild-to-moderate postnatal depression. Antidepressants can provide quick relief for symptoms, but many women are reluctant to use medication due to potential side-effects and the impact on breastfeeding. Listening visits are often preferred by women, especially when delivered by an empathetic and intently listening health visitor. Listening visits also provide additional support for women who decline antidepressants, especially in areas with long mental health waiting lists. However, health visitors often feel ill equipped to provide listening visits in practice unless they have undertaken additional training. Guidelines and availability of providing listening visits also varies between clinical commissioning groups, which needs to be addressed.

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Why is it important?

Mental illness is increasing in prevalence and women need choices and options when it comes to treating mental illness. The highest rate of suicide occurs at 3-4 months postpartum and listening visits can provide additional support and monitoring of mental health symptoms to families especially when medication is declined. Listening visits can also provide support whilst awaiting mental health service input.

Perspectives