Various psychological factors contribute to the bystander effect, with people assuming others will intervene — what is known as a ‘diffusion of responsibility’. Studies show that once people are aware of the bystander effect, they’re less likely to exhibit it. I realised I was seeing what I’d only read about before — the bystander effect — and it galvanised me into action. I often warn patients to expect to feel worse before they feel better when starting any type of therapy. Ensuring no woman is in unnecessary pain after giving birth, will, hopefully, reduce the risk of them developing debilitating postnatal depression — and it doesn’t require any more resources and interventions than are already in place.

Source: Daily Mail October 19, 2018 23:15 UTC