Women’s Experiences of Accessing Maternal Mental Health Support Services: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Maternal mental health (MMH) conditions affect up to one in five women globally during pregnancy and the year following birth. Many of these women need to access MMH services. However, there is a paucity of research focused on the experiences of women accessing MMH services, in a global context.

Aim: The aim of this scoping review was to explore studies that report on women’s experiences of accessing mental health support services within a global context.

Method: Six databases were searched in July and August 2022 and May 2023. Only studies focused on the experiences of women with perinatal mental health conditions were included. Key information and findings from published studies were extracted and meta-synthesis was performed using thematic analysis.

Findings: Sixteen studies were included, and three themes emerged: Barriers to accessing care, such as fear, stigma and logistical difficulties; Facilitators to accessing care, such as trusting relationships, social support and education; and System-related barriers to accessing support services, such as difficulty getting referrals, accessibility to services and long waiting times.

Conclusion: The evidence suggests women’s experiences of accessing MMH support services are variable and influenced by cultural, psychosocial and system factors. Trusting healthcare provider relationships and continuity of care support women to disclose MMH concerns. Midwives are well placed to screen and refer women for MMH conditions; however, further post-registration education is needed. Further multi-agency and multi-professional research in New Zealand and globally would be beneficial in informing education, policy and practice recommendations, with the aim of specifically addressing the barriers to accessing MMH identified in this review.