Forfar Mum Aims to Enhance Women’s Mental Health Care with Carseview Visit
A Forfar mother hopes a recent visit to Carseview will lead to improved mental health services for women in Tayside
Forfar, Dundee, Scotland, Mental Health, Postpartum Psychosis, Margaret Reid
Dundee: Recently, two senior SNP ministers checked out the Carseview mental health centre. This visit is a big deal for campaigners who want better care for women.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and social care minister Maree Todd were there just before a petition from a local mum, Margaret Reid, gets discussed again at Holyrood.
Margaret started this petition after seeing her sister struggle with postpartum psychosis after giving birth six years ago. She’s pushing for a specialized mother and baby unit to be set up outside the central belt, making it easier for folks in Tayside and the north-east to access care.
The petition also wants to change the one-year eligibility rule for mothers, so they don’t have to go to mixed mental health facilities. Margaret has met with Kate before and is hopeful this visit will spark some real changes.
She shared that Kate was understanding about her sister’s situation, and Margaret believes this is about more than just her sister—it’s for all women who need support.
Margaret’s sister, Lesley, faced serious challenges after her baby was born prematurely in January 2019. She received great care at a specialist unit in Livingston but later had to go to Carseview after a relapse.
Margaret described that experience as “living in a nightmare,” especially after the one-year mark when issues often arise. She feels it’s not right to send women to places like Carseview at that point.
Kate Forbes has also opened up about her own struggles with postnatal depression, highlighting the importance of mental health support. She’s grateful for the NHS’s help during her tough times.
North East Tory MSP Tess White is backing Margaret’s campaign and has met with the deputy first minister to advocate for change. She emphasized the need for senior government figures to see the daily challenges faced by staff and patients.
A Scottish Government spokesperson mentioned that the visit was part of regular checks on mental health facilities, helping ministers understand how services are working, especially for perinatal and infant mental health.
The petition will be discussed in the Scottish Parliament soon, and everyone is hoping for some positive outcomes.