Have You Seen That Girl
1621. Lindsay Robinson
Lindsay Robinson, from Dundonald, County Down, is a maternal mental health advocate who has successfully led a campaign to secure £4.7m funding from the Northern Ireland Executive to provide improved mental health services for mothers across Northern Ireland.
During pregnancy and after her son Reuben was born in September 2013, Lindsay suffered perinatal depression and anxiety but waited two years before this was diagnosed by medical professionals. Following this experience, Lindsay created her own movement, ‘Have You Seen That Girl’, sharing stories and resources to break the stigma surrounding maternal mental health and provide support for other mothers. She has also been dedicated to improving maternal mental health services across Northern Ireland and addressing the lack of access to specialist perinatal services for mothers in the region. Working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive, Lindsay has been instrumental in ensuring funding will be provided for new multidisciplinary community perinatal mental health teams in each of the five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.
In a personal letter to Lindsay, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Congratulations on the success of your ‘Have You Seen That Girl’ campaign which has recently secured a new specialist perinatal mental health service in Northern Ireland.
“From your own experience, you know how challenging the first months of parenthood can be and so it is fantastic that you are opening up conversations around maternal wellbeing.”
Lindsay said:
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to receive this Points of Light Award for raising awareness of maternal mental health and campaigning for better service for parents in the perinatal period.
“I am also thrilled with the recent news, from the Health Minister for Northern Ireland, that Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Services are being funded and all parents will now have access to this support. It has been a privilege to play my part in campaigning for this change and advocating for parents who (like me) find themselves faced with the difficulties of mental illness. I will continue to do all I can to shine a light on these issues and ensure help and support are available.”