Counting the costs

The human and economic cost of untreated perinatal mental illness is significant.

Untreated perinatal mental health problems have a wide range of effects on the mental and physical health of women, their babies, partners and loved ones, meaning insufficient support is a major public health concern.

Key statistics

~1 in 5

develop a mental illness during pregnancy or first postnatal year

£8.1 billion

known costs of perinatal mental health problems per year's births in the UK

Suicide

is a leading cause of maternal death during pregnancy and the first postnatal year

Undiagnosed or untreated perinatal mental health problems can lead to:

Avoidable suffering

Perinatal mental health problems can cause intense, debilitating, isolating and often frightening suffering for women.

Damage to families

Perinatal mental health problems can have a long-term impact on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with partners and family members.

Impact on children

Perinatal mental health problems can have an adverse impact on the interaction between a mother and her baby, affecting the child’s emotional, social and cognitive development.

Death or serious injury

In severe cases, perinatal mental health problems can be life-threatening. In the UK, suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal death in the first postnatal year.

The economic case for increasing access to treatment for women with common mental health problems during the perinatal period

MMHA Pdf, 1.4mb

Published: February 2022

Commissioned by the MMHA, this independent report presents evidence on the costs and economic consequences of different service options, focusing on evidence-based low-intensity treatment, if unmet common mental health problems are addressed within routine health services provided to women during the perinatal period.

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A sound investment: Increasing access to treatment for women with common maternal mental health problems

MMHA Pdf, 2.0mb