Charity warns of another troubled generation
By Liz Lockhart
A recent report called Mind the Gap, which was conducted by Family Action, warns that financial 
pressure and lack of services could create another troubled generation. They say that life for new and expectant parents is tougher than ever before.
They warn that this is due to welfare cuts and poorer quality housing which impacts on low income families. This in turn can impact on a mother’s state of mind and her ability to bond with her baby. They also warn that children’s development will suffer without more services for mums at risk. The society’s Action’s Against All Odds campaign calls for both better welfare support and true early intervention services for mothers at risk of ante and postnatal depression and their babies.
Family Action has been a leading provide rand services to disadvantaged and socially isolated families since 1869. They work with over 45,000 children and families a year by providing practical, emotional and financial support through over 100 services based in communities across England. A further 150,000 people benefit from our educational grants and information service.
Family Action Chief Executive Helen Dent told Mental Healthy: “Our Mind the Gap report shows the dangers faced by new mothers and their children if the right support for their mental health and wellbeing problems are not in place. Whilst adequate services seem to be available for women facing severe post natal depression we’re concerned that women with mild to moderate difficulties may fall through the gap. This is bad for women and bad for children’s development. From talking to mothers who use our innovative Perinatal Support project which supports mums at risk with volunteer befrienders to reduce social isolation we know that poor housing and financial stress can also impact on parents’ wellbeing. That’s why we’ve launched our Against All Odds: Mind the Gap campaign to call for more welfare support and services for families. You can find out more and support the campaign at www.family-action.org.uk/againstallodds”.
