At least 1 in 5 women and birthing people will develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the early years after having a baby. Too often, they go unrecognised.
If untreated, perinatal mental health problems can have a devastating impact on the women affected and their families, and cost the UK economy a staggering £8.1bn a year.
The MMHA exists to change this.
women and birthing people experience perinatal mental illness
will hide or underplay maternal mental health difficulties
is the leading cause of maternal death in the first postnatal year
The MMHA’s Everyone’s Business campaign calls for all women throughout the UK who experience a perinatal mental health problem to receive the care and support they and their families need, wherever and whenever they need it.
Specialist services are foundational for perinatal mental health care. Our maps show where these services are and aren't available in the UK.
These services provide psychological therapies for moderate to severe mental health issues directly arising from someone's maternity journey.
Women and families across the UK need equal access to high-quality, compassionate care and support, including and beyond specialist services.
Although anyone can experience perinatal mental health problems, some parents are at greater risk of becoming unwell and less likely to receive the care they need.
For women facing drug and/or alcohol addiction, there is an intense stigma around pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Black mothers consistently have poorer experiences of care and worse maternity outcomes.
Domestic abuse affects an estimated 1.3 million women each year, with many cases beginning or escalating during pregnancy.
Postnatal depression is up to twice as prevalent in teenage mothers compared to those over 20 and teenage maternal suicide is rising.
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