Labour’s Councillor Helen Ogbu has called for urgent action to deliver year-long postnatal mental health care, warning that mothers in Galway are being left without support at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.
Councillor Ogbu said short term care models fail families and place long term pressure on health services.
“For new mothers in Galway, the weeks and months after birth can be overwhelming," Cllr Ogbu said. "Yet the system effectively steps away after six weeks. That is not care.
“Childbirth brings huge physical, emotional and psychological change. Many mothers cope well at first and then struggle later, once the initial appointments end and reality sets in. In Galway and across the country, women are too often left to manage anxiety, depression and exhaustion alone.
“Current postnatal care is fragmented and minimal," she added. "Two GP visits and a single public health nurse visit do not provide continuity or reassurance. For mothers in Galway, accessing counselling or therapy often means long waiting lists or high costs.
“This gap in care has real consequences. Maternal mental health affects bonding, family stability and long-term wellbeing. When we fail mothers, we fail children and partners too. Galway feels that impact across families, schools and community services.
“Community based support can make a huge difference," Cllr Ogbu asserted. "Peer support, accessible counselling and regular check-ins help mothers recover and thrive. These services should be the norm, not a postcode lottery.
“Investing in year-long postnatal mental health care is not just the right thing to do. It makes sense. Early support reduces crisis intervention later and eases pressure on overstretched services. It is preventative care that benefits everyone.
“Mothers in Galway deserve to know that support will be there beyond the early weeks. They should not have to reach breaking point before help arrives. Together with my Labour colleagues, we’re calling on Government to commit to yearlong postnatal mental health care, with proper funding and community-based services, so mothers in Galway receive the support they need when they need it most.”
