Background: As the experience of what is termed as 'postnatal depression' (PND) in South Asian mothers living in Great Britain has received comparatively little attention, this study used a grounded theory approach to examine their understanding of PND. Methods: Ten South Asian mothers were interviewed from within the Greater Manchester area in England. They scored above 12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and were interviewed 8-12 weeks after giving birth. Data were analysed using techniques associated with constant comparison and a grounded theory approach. Results and findings:The analyses showed that their experiences of PND were extremely dynamic and complex. Three core categories were identified and termed "internalising misery", "Others will judge me and I feel on my own" and "I talk to my health professional and they don't understand". Conclusions: Potential links between these categories were considered and a tentative model for PND in South Asian mothers has been proposed. Some issues were specific to the experience of PND, but this sample also experienced "cultural clashes", somatisation, isolation, poor input from services and barriers to and from services. The methodological limitations, clinical implications and areas for further research are considered.

Objectives Postnatal depression (PND) can have negative consequences for mother and infant. Current psychological therapies are effective in treating depression but improvements in mother-infant outcomes have not yet been established. We aimed to capture mothers’ experiences of therapy for PND with a focus on parenting-related outcomes. We also sought their views on including parenting support within interventions. Methods Fourteen mothers who received psychological therapy in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed using Framework Analysis. Results Three main themes were identified: ‘The experience of therapy’, ‘Therapy outcomes’ and ‘Views about parenting interventions for postnatal depression’. The main themes were underpinned by other themes. Overall the findings revealed that mothers perceived therapy as helpful in improving mood, confidence as a parent and relationship with their infant. Mothers valued the process of normalising their experiences within group therapy and by their therapists because it reduced any shame and stigma associated with PND. Mothers thought parenting support within therapy would be acceptable if delivered collaboratively. Conclusions Primary care-based psychological therapy for PND was perceived as helpful and acceptable. It clearly met some of the mothers’ goals, especially if their beliefs about being a ‘bad mother’ was challenged and modified. Barriers to engagement, such as childcare issues and therapist’s knowledge about perinatal mental health, would also need to be overcome. Finally, mother-infant interventions should be further explored as an adjunct treatment option.

All participants in the Introduction to Clinical Leadership and Management programme were required to carry out a work-based project (WBP). The following is a list of abstracts from the WBPs which have not already been presented in this special issue. The authors’ e-mail addresses are included so that readers can contact them for a copy of the full WBP if they wish.

This study investigates client and referrer satisfaction with an innovative specialist perinatal mental health service. The service was set up in response to the deleterious consequences of perinatal mental health problems. Recommendations for service development and research are made.