Family Alleges Mental Health Service Failure in Postnatal Depression Death

The relatives of a woman who died by suicide after experiencing postnatal depression for a second time assert that she was ‘let down’ by mental health services. Lucy had previously struggled with her mental health following the birth of her first child, but her family states that no additional support was provided when the depression recurred after her second child was born. They are urging the government to address what they describe as a ‘postcode lottery’ in the provision of perinatal mental health care. Lucy passed away on 23 September after she went missing from a psychiatric unit in Scarborough, where she had been admitted as a voluntary inpatient. Following several hours of searching involving mountain rescue teams, her sister Faye was informed that the “bubbly, caring and brilliant mum” had taken her own life. “I just howled. It was unbelievable. It’s like a living nightmare for the whole family,” Faye stated. “Her three-year-old is still asking when mummy is coming home and pointing to mummy’s side of the bed.” However, Lucy’s death was not unexpected. Lucy first began to experience postnatal depression when her initial baby reached three months of age. “She changed massively. A dark cloud came over her and took all of the life out of her,” Faye recalled. “Any joy that she took from life was just gone. Her anxiety went through the roof. Her depression was horrendous. The insomnia and fatigue – it took over her life.” Her parents welcomed Lucy and the baby into their home, she was prescribed antidepressants, and she started to recover around the time her daughter turned one. “We had Lucy back and she was marvellous”, her mum Ann commented. Lucy conveyed to her family that she did not recognize the person she became while suffering from the depression. When Lucy became pregnant with her second child in 2023, her family was surprised to discover that no additional support was offered. “I assumed there would be more wraparound care, knowing she had depression with her first. But no extra support or care was offered”, Faye explained. After the birth of her son, the initial three months were excellent, according to her family. “She was an amazing mum. So creative. She did everything for her kids”, Faye added. Yet, the depression returned when her baby was three months old, and despite her family’s diligent efforts, they noted that this episode was even more severe. “We were floundering. We needed help as well. We gave her the medication and it was constantly being changed. It wasn’t working,” Ann said. Lucy began to speak seriously about taking her own life, prompting her husband to contact the crisis mental health team. She received some counselling and home visits, after which she was referred to the perinatal team, which provided weekly counselling sessions. However, staff sickness resulted in face-to-face sessions being replaced by phone calls, and her condition worsened. In August, she made an attempt on her life. She also started experiencing auditory hallucinations, a symptom of psychosis that can arise from severe postnatal depression. “We were all absolutely terrified at this point. We were so lost and scared about how we could support her knowing what she had done”, Faye expressed. Lucy was admitted to a psychiatric unit on a voluntary basis, which allowed her to leave freely. She was given the option of securing a bed in a mother and baby unit but declined it, which Faye believes was a warning sign. “She should have been sectioned and sent to a mother and baby unit automatically,” she argued. “If the mother doesn’t feel like they want to be with their baby, there should be alarm bells ringing.” Eight days before her death, Lucy wrote “help me” in her hospital journal. On the day Lucy died, her mum visited her in hospital and took her out for lunch. This was the last time she saw her daughter alive – Lucy never returned to the hospital, nor home to her babies. “No child should ever have to ask why their mummy isn’t coming home. No husband should be without their wife. And no parents should have to bury their daughter for something that is so treatable,” Faye stated. Lucy’s death is indicative of a broader problem. The disparity in perinatal services, often referred to as a ‘postcode lottery’, is pronounced. Despite this, one in 10 women experience postnatal depression, according to the NHS. Research conducted by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) indicates that North Yorkshire, Lucy’s place of residence, failed to meet the care quality standards for perinatal care established by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2023. The orange sections on the map highlight areas where staffing and services are inadequate. Karen Middleton, head of policy at MMHA, asserts that mothers are being let down by the inconsistent provision of maternal mental health care. “Maternal mental health isn’t fully understood and has been historically under-invested,” she commented. “We need to raise awareness so commissioners and managers at the local level provide sustainable funding that is based on the levels of need in their area.” Maternal suicide is identified as the leading cause of direct death for mothers when their babies are between six weeks and one year old, according to the most recent Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care (SLIMC) report. This statistic has remained unchanged since 2009. A spokesperson for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust conveyed: “Our hearts go out to Lucy’s family and friends. “We are looking closely at the care Lucy received from us and, in keeping with national guidance, we will establish if there is anything different we could have done to prevent Lucy’s death. “We will support Lucy’s family through this process as their involvement is incredibly important.” A spokesperson for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) extended their condolences to Lucy’s family and friends, adding that it would “not be appropriate” to offer further comment while a review is ongoing. The Department for Health and Social Care stated that it was “unacceptable” for anyone to feel unsupported by maternity services. “Specialist perinatal mental health services are established in all parts of England, but we know more is needed,” a spokesperson remarked. “Too many people with mental health issues, including mothers who have recently given birth, are not getting the support or care they need.“That’s why we’re reforming the Mental Health Act to fix the broken system and give more people greater say over their care.” Lucy’s family believes she was a casualty of the system. Nevertheless, they are resolved to advocate for change. “Mummies are dying and it’s something so preventable. We’ve got a baby and three-year-old growing up without their mummy,” Faye declared. “We need to save the mummies.” Individuals affected by any of the issues discussed in this article can visit the BBC Action Line. You can also email yorkslincsinvestigations@bbc.co.uk to share your experiences. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.