Pregnant Then Screwed launch mental health support line to tackle the mental health impacts of discrimination at work 

 

Pregnant women and mothers are facing a mental health crisis, and maternity discrimination charity Pregnant Then Screwed are opening a mental health support line with the charity Mind to address it.

 

Date 4th August 2022: Pregnant Then Screwed are launching a mental health support line today for pregnant women and mothers experiencing discrimination at work. Research has found that depression is more prevalent amongst women who experience pregnancy or maternity discrimination, than those who do not. This can impact the physical health of a baby and it can have long lasting impacts on a mother’s mental health and her career.  

 

In April 2021 we surveyed 16,000 women revealing that only 28% of mothers described their mental health as good and a third of mothers have experienced depression in the pandemic (32.4%). It also revealed that 7% of mothers who have a child aged between 5 – 10 years old say they have had suicidal thoughts and 10% say they are on antidepressants. 

 

Joeli Brearley, founder of PTS said: ‘’When I was pushed out of my job because I dared to procreate, my mental health hit an all-time low and it took me years to recover. At Pregnant Then Screwed, we know that when women experience workplace discrimiantion, they feel isolated and traumatized. These feelings can be particularly acute for pregnant women and new mothers, who are already dealing with hormonal changes, huge upheaval, and sleep deprivation. It is important to us that women are supported to not only access the justice they deserve by using our free legal advice line and mentor scheme, but that we can help them to recover from the mental health impact of discrimination. We believe this new service will reduce stress, it will enable more women to challenge discrimination, and it will ensure more mothers can get on with their life once justice has been secured.’’

 

The pandemic has massively affected the mental health of pregnant women and mothers. Pregnant Then Screwed research from January 2022, found that for pregnant women and mothers, 20.8% felt increased stress from a lack of mental health support, 18.4% from a lack of health and safety protections at work, 8.4% from discrimination at work and 3.2% job loss.

 

Analiese Doctrove, Head of Operations at Pregnant Then Screwed had this to say: “We know that women have suffered and that statutory services are struggling to cope with increased demand, we are delighted to be able to partner with Mind to deliver this much needed helpline and reduce the mental health burden that women facing discrimination are experiencing.”

 

You can reach out to our mental health helpline at 0161 2229879

 

-ENDS-

 

For further press information or case studies from Pregnant Then Screwed please contact: [email protected]

 

Notes to Editor: 

About Pregnant Then Screwed (www.pregnantthenscrewed.com). Pregnant Then 

Screwed is a charity that seeks to protect, support and promote the rights of pregnant

women and mothers. We carry out extensive research into the effects of systemic cultural and institutional discrimination during pregnancy and motherhood. Our support services include: a free employment rights helpline, pro bono legal advice and a tribunal mentor scheme that supports women who are considering legal action against their employer. We campaign for changes that will end the motherhood penalty and we support working mums to rebuild their confidence and find work that works for them.

 

 

Full data overview: 

In April 2021 we surveyed 16,000 women on mental health

• 28% of pregnant women and mothers describe their mental health as good.
• A third of mothers have experienced depression in the pandemic (32.4%)
• 7% of mothers who have a child aged between 5 – 10 years old say they have had suicidal thoughts and 10% say they are on antidepressants
• 30% of mothers have experienced discrimination from an employer.

 

Pregnancy and The Rise of Omicron survey, Jan 2022. Sample size 6906-

Which of the following has caused you stress during pregnancy or after your baby was born?

• Hospital Restrictions 70.3%
• The way the Government has handled the pandemic 56.5%
• The spread of misinformation 50.4%
• Lack of information about the safety of the vaccine 47.4%
• Closure or reduction of health visitor services 38.5%
• Lack of priority access to the vaccine 29.1%
• Lack of mental health support 20.8%
• Lack of health and safety protections at work 18.4%
• Discrimination at work 8.4%
• Job loss 3.2%

 

NDA Use survey, Jan 2022. Sample size 698

• 69.4% said their mental health prevented them from using the tribunal system
• 71.9% said signing an NDA/Confidentiality Clause has had an impact on their mental health