Mothers’ Views of Mental Health Support - Interview Information Sheet

We would like to invite you to take part in a research study. Taking part is completely up to you. Before you decide, we would like you to understand why the study is being done and what taking part would involve.

Who is carrying out this research?

Public Health Scotland have asked researchers at the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) to do this study. You can find out more about us here: www.scotcen.org.uk.

What is the study about?

As part of this research into mothers’ views of mental health support, we are carrying out one-to-one interviews with new mums exploring:

• risks to mental health among new mums and their babies.
• whether they know what mental health support they can get.
• what they think about mental health support for new mums.

Public Health Scotland will use this study’s findings to improve mental health services for mums and babies in Scotland.

Why have I been invited to take part?  

You are being invited to take part because you filled out a Survey of Mothers’ Views of Mental Health Support. At the end of the survey, you very kindly said you would be happy for us to get in touch inviting you to take part in a one-to-one interview.

We would like to speak to women who have had a range of experiences. This means that we may not be able to talk to everyone who is interested in speaking to us.

If I take part, what will I be asked to do?

If you decide to take part, one of our research team will get in touch to find out a date and time when you are free for an interview.

Interviews will be with one of our researchers and will last around 60 minutes. You can choose for your interview to be done by phone, video call (using Microsoft Teams or Zoom), or in-person.

We will ask you if we can audio record the interview. The recording will be typed up, stored safely and then deleted at the end of the study.

Alongside your survey responses, we will ask you about your experiences and views of mental health support for new mums like you. There are no right or wrong answers. We’re just interested in hearing what you think.

To say thank you for taking part, we will send you a £30 high street voucher after your interview.

Do I have to take part?

Your views are very important, but it is up to you whether you take part. You can share as much or as little as you want, and you do not have to answer any questions you do not want to. You can leave the study at any time without giving a reason.

Are there any risks to taking part?

Many people enjoy taking part in an interview as it gives them a chance to share their views and experiences, but we appreciate that talking about your experiences could be upsetting. We will check on how you are feeling before and after your interview.

We will make sure that you feel comfortable and respected. You can say if you do not want to answer a question.

If you feel upset during the interview, we will:

• pause or stop the interview. 
• stay with you until you feel better or can contact further support.

We will also give you a Sources of Support sheet, which tells you about other sources of support.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes. We will treat the things you tell us in the strictest confidence under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We will treat your information with care and full respect for your privacy. Any information you give us will be stored safely and securely.

We will use quotes from some interviews in our study reports. These are things people have told us in their interview, in their own words. Quotes will be written in a way that means that no one will be able to work out who said the quote.

Your personal information will be kept separate from any other information you give us. We will only contact you about the study.

To learn more about how we store and use your personal information and your rights to look at your data, click here. 

Where can I find out more?

If you have any questions, please contact the study team at PNIMH@scotcen.org.uk. 
If you wish to make a complaint about this study, you can contact Lesley Birse at ScotCen by email: lesley.birse@scotcen.org.uk or by phone on 0131 240 0210.