A SERVICE to help depressed mothers has been launched in Swindon.

Some 320 mothers in the town suffer from perinatal and postnatal depression each year, prompting health professionals to take action.

South Swindon MP Julia Drown met with staff at the Swindon Primary Care Trust offices where the scheme was launched.

The care pathway service will ensure women showing signs of mental depression get the right help and support as early as possible.

Daphne Hardwick, lecturer practitioner and health visitor at Wroughton Health Centre, said: "The care pathway has been put together by a mixture of primary and

secondary care professionals, including doctors, community psychiatric nurses, midwives and health visitors.

"Having a baby is a very emotional time. Many women may experience a time when they are a bit up and down and weepy in the early days.

"However maternal depression is a far more distressing condition.

"Many people refer to only postnatal depression but it may also start in pregnancy and last up to a year after the birth, which is referred to as perinatal depression."

Midwives and health visitors hope to raise awareness by talking with prospective mothers about their emotional health from the moment they first meet and again throughout the pregnancy.

This will be repeated at key stages after the baby is born.

If signs of depression are detected, the mothers may be referred to their doctor for medication, or for counselling.

Daphne, who has two daughters, aged 21 and 18, said: "When I had my first child I recall finding it quite hard to adjust.

"People can lose confidence in themselves because having a baby can be very physically and emotionally tiring.

"It can affect any mother but those who are more isolated from friends and family seem to be hit the hardest.

"I think Swindon mothers are more likely to suffer from depression because people move here from miles away to work, and then when it comes to having a baby they don't have close family around them for support," she said.

The care pathway service has produced a leaflet, which explains more about postnatal and perinatal depression, and includes a list of useful telephone numbers.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the leaflet call Daphne on 01793 813044.