Counting the costs - Perinatal Mental Health (PMH)

Mothers’ (parents) mental health - who is actually paying? 

Mental health problems are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth. During COVID-19, one in three birth-giving women had symptoms of depression.  A new study found that one in five pregnant mothers has depressive symptoms during pregnacy. 

Norway does not currently have good mental healthcare services for women and families facing these challenges. The field is mostly run by enthusiasts. 

“We find that the Norwegian authorities do not understand the importance of prevention, early detection and treatment of the full range of mental health problems in the perinatal period,” and “Politicians must take this seriously,” said the Norwegian Psychological Association last year. 

Background information:

• In 2024, economists from the University of Bergen presented new research on the association between the mental health of parents and their children. “Now, for the first time, the importance of this heredity factor in the Norwegian population has been documented.”
• In 2014, the London School of Economics (LSE) published a socio-economic report showing the costs to society of not providing adequate care to women and families who face mental health problems in the 1001-day perinatal period.
• In 2022, the LSE published a new report: “The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK”.  

The conversation will be moderated by MD, PH.D. Editor in Chief. Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association - Are Brean:

• What is perinatal mental health and why is it so important? 
• What is the situation in Norway? 
• What do experts and research say?
• Is it good management of our healthcare budget to continue in the same way as before? 
• In terms of perinatal mental health, is the 2024 budget a health promotion budget? 
• Where do we go from here?

The Norwegian organisation 1001 days (Landsforeningen 1001 dager) is involved with mothers’ (parents) mental health in the perinatal  period (pregnancy and until the child is two years old) (Perinatal Mental Helse). We are a hybrid organisation with members of our board of directors and advisory board having experience as researchers, clinicians and mothers. 

* 1001 days is a member organisation of the Norwegian Brain Council and a new brain health strategy will be launched in 2025. Why is Norway lagging so far behind? And what is it actually costing us?  

* In this discussion, 1001 days wants to focus on economics and has invited Professor Anette Bauer (LSE) and Dr Alain Gregoire (UK) to a discussion with an expert panel from Norway. Prof. Bauer is the lead author of both reports from LSE. Dr. Alain Greoire is the former Chair, and now Honorary President of the Maternal Mental Health alliance which commisioned the reports.

We advise to show up early to secure a seat at this event. 

Welcome.