Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health
Objectives To provide insights into the perspectives of clinical specialists (CSs) regarding the efficacy of existing legal interventions (health laws, policies, guidelines, etc) in addressing and managing perinatal depression (PND) in women in India, in the background of the existing policy gap.Stu...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e093027.full |
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| author | Ritika Behl Vivek Nemane Shashikala Gurpur |
| author_facet | Ritika Behl Vivek Nemane Shashikala Gurpur |
| author_sort | Ritika Behl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives To provide insights into the perspectives of clinical specialists (CSs) regarding the efficacy of existing legal interventions (health laws, policies, guidelines, etc) in addressing and managing perinatal depression (PND) in women in India, in the background of the existing policy gap.Study design and methods After adopting the consultative participatory approach, a qualitative study involving online, semi-structured, in-depth interviews was conducted. Purposive, and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify and invite the participants. Thematic content analysis was performed. The findings were reported in alignment with the Standards of Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.Setting India.Participants 12 out of 38 invited CSs participated in the study. All invited participants either had a background in perinatal psychiatry or were experienced in working with the perinatal population and had undertaken evidence-based research regarding perinatal mental health (PMH), in the Indian setting.Results Five themes emerged from the collected data including (1) the epidemiology of PND in the Indian context, (2) the management of PND in India and the efficacy of the existing legal frameworks, (3) the need for legal interventions for addressing and managing PND in India, (4) role of legislative instruments, globally, in managing maternal PND and (5) advocacy for PMH by lawyers, and advocates in India.Conclusions The existing policy gap is associated with the violation of women’s rights. The Mental Health Care Act (MHCA), 2017 should be amended to recognise perinatal women as a vulnerable group and to prioritise their PMH needs. A nationwide policy should be introduced to ensure integrated PMH services. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe7e3120080647cab7a757c64eca35a8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-fe7e3120080647cab7a757c64eca35a82025-02-03T04:30:10ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-02-0115110.1136/bmjopen-2024-093027Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental healthRitika Behl0Vivek Nemane1Shashikala Gurpur2Alliance University, Bangalore, IndiaSymbiosis Law School Pune, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, Maharashtra, IndiaSymbiosis Law School Pune, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, Maharashtra, IndiaObjectives To provide insights into the perspectives of clinical specialists (CSs) regarding the efficacy of existing legal interventions (health laws, policies, guidelines, etc) in addressing and managing perinatal depression (PND) in women in India, in the background of the existing policy gap.Study design and methods After adopting the consultative participatory approach, a qualitative study involving online, semi-structured, in-depth interviews was conducted. Purposive, and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify and invite the participants. Thematic content analysis was performed. The findings were reported in alignment with the Standards of Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.Setting India.Participants 12 out of 38 invited CSs participated in the study. All invited participants either had a background in perinatal psychiatry or were experienced in working with the perinatal population and had undertaken evidence-based research regarding perinatal mental health (PMH), in the Indian setting.Results Five themes emerged from the collected data including (1) the epidemiology of PND in the Indian context, (2) the management of PND in India and the efficacy of the existing legal frameworks, (3) the need for legal interventions for addressing and managing PND in India, (4) role of legislative instruments, globally, in managing maternal PND and (5) advocacy for PMH by lawyers, and advocates in India.Conclusions The existing policy gap is associated with the violation of women’s rights. The Mental Health Care Act (MHCA), 2017 should be amended to recognise perinatal women as a vulnerable group and to prioritise their PMH needs. A nationwide policy should be introduced to ensure integrated PMH services.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e093027.full |
| spellingShingle | Ritika Behl Vivek Nemane Shashikala Gurpur Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health BMJ Open |
| title | Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health |
| title_full | Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health |
| title_fullStr | Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health |
| title_short | Legal interventions for perinatal depression in India: a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health |
| title_sort | legal interventions for perinatal depression in india a qualitative study with clinical specialists having expertise in perinatal mental health |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e093027.full |
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