Editorial: Absurd to sting mothers

Have you received an insurance bill lately? The premiums have skyrocketed, largely thanks to the Christchurch earthquake.

But imagine finding you have to pay even more because you have a history of mental illness.

That's exactly what TV glamour-girl Sonia Gray found when she recently applied for life insurance and ticked the box revealing she had a history of depression.

Gray is an ambassador for Perinatal Mental Health New Zealand, a support network for women who have issues with mental health around pregnancy. She suffered depression while pregnant with now 4-year-old twins.

Pregnancy depression isn't all that uncommon, believed to affect 16 per cent of New Zealand women - and that's before the baby is even born.

Gray's insurer told her she was one of thousands of Kiwi women being forced to pay more for life insurance - and in some cases refused - because they say it is a possible indicator of future depression and could contribute to lower life expectancy.

Insurance agencies say the risks are set by big overseas re-insurers and they have no control over it.

This is absurd.

It's hard enough for people, including pregnant women or those with newborn babies, to admit they are struggling with their emotions let alone finding out if they seek help, it'll sting them in the pocket.

The likes of former All Black John Kirwan have spoken out about depression to get people to talk about their issues openly.

If it's going to cost you, you might feel that you have no choice but to say nothing and "harden up".