Dr. Jennifer Payne

“I don't think the legal system has progressed to handle postpartum psychosis cases well. I think that there continues to be an amazing amount of stigma surrounding maternal mental health and psychiatric diagnosis.”

Dr. Jennifer Payne · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-06

Dr. Payne said the legal system still struggles to handle postpartum psychosis cases due to stigma around maternal mental health.

“Postpartum psychosis is a much rarer presentation, and many psychiatrists have never seen a case.”

Dr. Jennifer Payne · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-06

Dr. Payne noted that postpartum psychosis is so rare that many psychiatrists have never encountered a case.

“when it is clear that a patient has had postpartum psychosis and acted on delusions as part of that illness, that that particular case should not progress to a murder trial, and should instead be relegated to a mental health treatment journey.”

Dr. Jennifer Payne · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-06

Dr. Payne expressed her view that cases involving postpartum psychosis and delusional acts should be treated as mental health matters rather than murder trials.