Psychological and social approaches to treatment

Psychological and social interventions can be used singly or as adjuncts to drug treatment in a variety of settings. Health visitor counselling is effective; its acceptability depends on the quality of the relationship with the health visitor. Individual psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are effective and, like some other interventions, can be given in a group setting. They can be adapted to treat women with other disorders, for instance anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder, and pregnant women. Interventions may be delivered in the home or in a day-hospital setting. Mental health services should relate to maternity care and primary care professionals, and to the voluntary sector (which provides and meets the needs of both mothers and fathers), and refer women with severe disorders to specialist perinatal mental health services. Services should ensure that they meet the needs of any minority communities in their area, including migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.