About

The STACEY study is a qualitative project exploring the views and experiences of those accessing mental health services either while pregnant or shortly after having a baby.

We are carrying out semi-structured first-person interviews with around forty mothers who have had help for their mental health, while pregnant or after having a baby, to find out about the care they received. We will also be speaking to their 'significant others' - i.e. partners or other family members or friends, who have supported them during this time, to hear their views. Following these interviews, we will be carrying out focus groups and interviews with clinicians who work with this population, along with GP commissioners. The overall aim is to explore the views and experiences of key stakeholders in the receipt and delivery of care across the full spectrum of perinatal mental health services, to help improve services.

The study is Work Stream 2 of a wider programme of research examining the effectiveness of perinatal mental health services, led by Professor Louise Howard at Kings College London. More details about the overall research programme can be found here.