6. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being: 'Together for Mental Health' Strategy and Next Steps

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:50 pm on 11 October 2022.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 4:50, 11 October 2022

Minister, I wanted to ask about the mental health impact of miscarriages. There's still this strange societal expectation that we don't talk about miscarriages, and people grieve for the little lives that were part of their world for a short time. They mourn the moments they never had together. And their grief is something that those parents are expected to process privately and then get on with things. There's not always an expectation that employers will give compassionate leave and mental health support after miscarriages—maternity rights only kick in if you lose your baby after 24 weeks. So, Minister, will the Government work with charities and families to ensure that workplaces across Wales adopt policies that get rid of this taboo around miscarriages and offer compassionate leave and mental health support? Because little steps like this can help ensure that women affected and families affected are bathed in a wave of light, and help ensure that their babies are not forgotten.