Maternal mental health provision - aibu

[custodial2]

I am wondering how many new mothers would feel safe in this scenario.
New mother has PND following on from ante-natal depression, and against a background of major depressive disorder before pregnancy.
Local town has a mental health centre. New mum is attending a follow up appointment with psychiatrist (not perni-natal specialist).
The centre has a small entrance lobby with receptionist behind glass. Then a large waiting room. New mum brings 5 week old baby in his lie down pram.
In the waiting room is a very ill seeming man, dressed in army fatigues. He is repeating "I am a paranoid schizophrenic", and other concerning phrases, he seems very disregulated and unwell.

AIBU to feel this whole scenario was concerning? New mum was rather unwell, and unable to advocate for herself - ie, ask for a chaperone - and there did not appear to be any alternative place to wait, just the consultation room beyond.

This. My husband has PS and I'm currently 38 weeks with our baby and I'm pretty offended.

It sounds like you've had some really negative experiences which this thread has triggered something in and I'm sorry for that.
However, your responses are not fair and are derailing a thread where op has actually raised some valid points.

Ask for what specifically?

Lots of people feel vulnerable and afraid in mental healthcare settings, including (perhaps even especially) people with paranoid schizophrenia.

If the schizophrenic person that you mention in your OP had actually posed an objective threat, that would have been a cause for concern. But just the mere fact of encountering someone unusual whose presentation causes uncomfortable feelings is not a cause for concern.

I mean. I wouldn't feel overly comfortable no. But it's a difficult one isn't it ? A paranoid schizophrenic could be extremely unwell and very much need to be accessing a mental health facility. So he needs to be there.

But a mother with PND who is with a baby in the same waiting room I don't think is great for her PND, no.

I'd imagine home visit would have been more appropriate.

Ps I don't think you're being obtuse or unreasonable like some are suggesting.

Who would want a paranoid schizophrenic who is clearly agitated near themselves, let alone a new born baby, let alone if you're extra protective and vulnerable with PND.

As humans, we are designed to feel instincts surrounding risk. And a mentally ill male is going to trigger that "risk radar" and associated feelings.

I'd have felt very protective of my baby and uneasy in that circumstance to be honest. If this is about you (I suspect it is) don't be too hard on yourself and think this fear Is all in your head. It's not. It's understandable. I'd ask for a home visit from the psychiatric team.

It’s difficult. I attend regular MH appointments and will have presented as very unwell at times. But everyone has to have access to the service.

She has MH issues, so does he. She chose to have a baby though so the issue is for her to deal with. That’s harsh but ‘new mother’ and ‘tiny baby’ isn’t a trump card. They were both in the care facility that needed to treat them each.

I've experienced people in a mental health crisis like that in A&E, I'm sure many of us have. It's not ideal at all and as it would be very frightening for some people but we will come in to contact with these people, especially in health settings. If the man had been assessed as posing a risk to anyone he would (well should) be in a impatient setting where babies can't enter. Acting 'odd' and having schizophrenia doesn't automatically mean someone is a risk.

So is the man. Why such harsh judgement for one but the other needs protection.

When you are a new mum your are more vulnerable and don't forget all the hormones and changes on your body. Plus you have your babies with you.

When you have mental health problems your more vulnerable.

It’s not a game of top trumps!

I agree.

I think there's some unnecessarily obtuse remarks on here. Way to go to talk to someone with PND.

I think that's the point tho. There are specialist mother and baby units which also do outpatient appointments. So not sure it was the right place for the perinatal period.

A new born baby is far more vulnerable than a strong man with agitated paranoid schizophrenia. Don't be silly.

Yes and imagine of being a new mum on top of having mental health issues...

the man NEEDs to be there for his treatment. The baby doesn’t.

nobody is saying it’s ideal but the lack of understanding of anyone else isn’t helping the OP. Everyone involved deserves to be treated and to feel safe not just her.

like I said it’s not a game of top trumps or a race to the bottom.

Ops job isn't to "understand" anyone in that waiting room.

She's not a mental health practitioner. She's a vulnerable new mum with a newborn and with PND on top of it. Her job is to keep her and her baby safe. That's her priority. And if a woman doesn't feel safe : you listen to her concerns and accomodate if able.

A reasonable accomodation is post natal pyschiatric home care if outpatient treatment is what is needed.

You don't know if mum has childcare available... They should have rooms just for mums and their babies so they will feel safer.

Both mum and the man, are in the waiting room of the correct place. They are both vulnerable and need help. Ideally a home visit to mum would be better, but I’m guessing that isn’t possible? I hope she gets the help
she needs OP.

Errr what about young vulnerable patients under 25 with disabilities or severe MH needs I think they are far more needy of separate rooms. Many struggle to even go in, let alone stay for much needed help or meds, they are the priority not somebody else’s childcare.

Men are a threat to women (not all obviously) but plainly speaking. A man who is demonstrably agitated and has a known and declared serious mental illness which has a reputation for unpredictable behaviour in acute illness phases (like it or not ) - is going to make a mum feel protective over her baby and alarmed/feel unsafe. That's just common sense.

So is everybody else going to be listened to and accommodated? Are those far more ill or vulnerable going to get psychiatric home care?

Or being a very young person with autism or other disabilities on top of MH difficulties.

But the entire waiting room is going to be full of deregulated very ill people. There is no money and what little there is needs to go to those most in need and severe. Having a baby does not make you more in need or severe.