Next year’s budget omits funding for postpartum depression support

There is no funding for a programme supporting women with anxiety or depression related to pregnancy and childbirth in next year’s budget proposal, KVF reports. The government allocated 450,000 kroner to prevent postpartum depression this year.

The funding supports Ein góð byrjan, or A Good Start, a free pilot service for women during pregnancy and after childbirth who experience anxiety or depression. The programme received 150,000 kroner last year, before its allocation was tripled this year.

Psychologist Rannvá Sloan Jørgensen said one in four women experience mental distress, anxiety or depression during pregnancy, while one in five face these difficulties after childbirth.

Sólrun Foldbo, professional director at Gigni, said losing the funding would be a major setback for mothers who have received help through the service, as well as for their children and families.

Without the programme, mothers are screened and referred to their GP, who may refer them to a psychologist. They then have to find a psychologist with availability themselves, Foldbo said, adding that this could widen inequality because not everyone can afford psychological care.