From our survey, 96% of the respondents told us that they ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that their mental health was negatively affected by their baby/babies’ neonatal stay. This indicates that a large majority of parents on the neonatal unit will be suffering with their mental health, which reduces their ability to provide hands-on care for their baby, be involved in decision-making about their baby, or take part in ward rounds.
Parents experienced the following:
Some told us that they felt unable to talk to people and had suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Only 39% of respondents to our survey of parents who have had a neonatal experience remembered being offered support with their mental health when they were on the neonatal unit. Of those, 60% went on to access the support.
Those that didn’t access the support gave reasons including:
I was in a daze, and didn’t think to do anything.
Parents told us that in addition to help from mental health professionals on the neonatal unit (where available) or from the care team working with their baby, they also found support by speaking with friends and family, faith leaders, charities, employee assistance programmes, other parents on the neonatal wards or private mental health professionals. 27% of respondents told us that they didn’t receive any support at all.
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The information in this section is due for review in May 2028.
