# Barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services in ethnically diverse women in the UK

## TL;DR

This study explores why ethnically diverse women in the UK face barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services, highlighting issues with healthcare interactions and cultural factors.

## Contribution

The study identifies healthcare professional interactions and cultural influences as key barriers to perinatal mental health service access for ethnically diverse women.

## Key findings

- Women who experience discrimination or judgment from healthcare providers are less likely to seek perinatal mental health help.
- Community perceptions and peer support groups significantly influence motivation to seek mental health assistance.
- Cultural factors and healthcare experiences together create barriers for ethnically diverse women accessing mental health services.

## Abstract

Mental health problems are common among women during the perinatal period (here defined as during pregnancy and the 2 years after birth), affecting up to 20% of women. Although there are effective treatments for perinatal mental health problems, ethnically diverse women who are at higher risk of developing perinatal mental health problems are less likely to access treatment for their perinatal mental health problems. This study explored perceptions of perinatal mental health problems and barriers to accessing treatment amongst a sample of ethnically diverse women with current or past experiences who did not receive help from a specialist team.

This study is qualitative primary research. Twenty-eight women living in England who reported they struggled with emotional and mental health challenges during their perinatal period but did not receive assistance from the specialist perinatal mental health team were recruited from community groups and adverts. Women participated in online interviews, which were transcribed. NVIVO was used to support a thematic analysis.

The study revealed that substantial barriers to seeking help arise from women’s interactions with their healthcare professionals. When women feel a lack of trust, experience discrimination, or sense judgment from healthcare providers, they are less inclined to seek assistance. However, the motivation to seek help is significantly shaped by community perceptions of perinatal mental health issues, particularly for those women who have made efforts to access support. Women had a positive experience in peer support groups.

A significant barrier to accessing perinatal mental health services for ethnically diverse women is experiences with health professionals. Moreover, women from ethnically diverse groups may encounter additional problems regarding help-seeking due to cultural influences and attitudes towards mental health and motherhood roles. Hence, the intricate interplay between cultural factors and healthcare experiences highlights the urgent need for a more culturally competent approach to perinatal mental health services.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07159-7.