‘Rediscovering You’ is this year’s theme for Maternal Mental Health Week. The campaign invites us to explore and promote discussions around the mental health problems that can affect someone before, during and after their pregnancy.
1 in 5 people develop a mental illness during pregnancy or their first postnatal year and even more alarming, suicide is a leading cause of maternal death.
With these sobering statistics, it is increasingly important to raise awareness of maternal health issues through various outlets, from social media to television and community outreach. With the hope that it will encourage more open conversations about the topic.
Our connection to maternal mental health
At Medical Hire, we know first-hand the demands of motherhood and its impact on mental health. Our office is filled with working mums who know the challenges it can bring, and it makes us proud to have been able to support several important TV storylines that bring maternal mental health issues into the spotlight.
A research study carried out by the Radio Times and ITV found that 1 in 4 viewers of TV recognised that they were experiencing a mental health issue after watching or listening to a mental health-related storyline. This finding emphasises the power of storytelling and demonstrates how impactful this can be.
We are pleased to offer a wide range of maternity props available to support these kinds of storylines, which includes:
- Ultrasound machines & scan footage
- Maternity beds
- Incubators
- CTG Machines
- Infant ventilators
- Infant cribs
- Vinyl premature and various weighted babies
And we have the following setups available:
- Maternity and delivery rooms
- Neonatal intensive care unit
- Abortion clinic
- A&E department
- Hospital corridors
- General ward areas
Not to mention we have our expert team of NICU and midwife advisors who can offer their support before & during filming.
Below are just some of the important maternal storylines we have supported throughout the years;
Coronation Street – ITV
Sarah Platt’s post-partum psychosis journey in 2016 saw her admitted to a mental health unit and highlighted the struggles faced by new mothers. More recently, we supported her devastating miscarriage storyline and the emotional distress that followed.
This Is Going To Hurt – BBC
Adam Kay’s medical comedy-drama shed light on the gut-wrenching lows of life in an NHS labour ward and the raw and honest experience that families and medical staff go through during their maternal journey.
Emmerdale – ITV
Chas and Paddy’s world was shattered when a routine 20-week scan revealed that their unborn baby had a rare condition. Tragically, they were told that the baby would not survive long-term after birth.
Following the diagnosis, the couple decided to go ahead with the pregnancy, and they only had a few moments with their newborn baby girl Grace before she passed away in Chas’s arms.
We worked closely with Forget Me Not Hospice to portray a real-life experience of this tragic storyline and the aftermath following the grief and loss.
Our commitment to supporting maternal mental health
Alongside our work, we’re honoured to be supporting the mental health charity MIND, who provide valuable support for maternal mental health as part of its wider services. We have already raised funds for the charity through various fundraising events and we’re excited to contribute more throughout the year!
You can find out more about MIND maternal mental health support here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/about-perinatal-mental-health-problems/
And to explore more about the campaign for Maternal Mental Health week visit: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/maternal-mental-health-awareness-week/