Keeping maternal mental health on the political agenda

• Mental health problems are the most common complication of pregnancy and the postnatal period (affecting at least 1 in 5) and yet there is far less investment and attention compared to physical conditions like gestational diabetes (1 in 20) and pre-eclampsia (1-5 in 100).

• Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death six weeks to a year after birth.

• Untreated, maternal mental illness costs ~£8.1bn each year in the UK, or an average of £190m a year for an average-sized integrated care system.

• Black and minority ethnic women, young mothers and those facing domestic abuse, poverty or multiple disadvantages continue to experience poorer outcomes.

Despite its prevalence and devastating human and economic consequences, mental health still does not receive anywhere near the same level of attention or investment as physical health during and after pregnancy.

In the last 10 years, thanks to national investment and commitment, there has been welcome progress in the availability of specialist perinatal mental health services for women with the most severe and complex issues. However, there is no routinely funded provision for women with more common maternal mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety), and families still face a postcode lottery trying to access care across statutory and voluntary sector services.

In addition, some women face additional barriers to accessing care. Trauma, stigma, discrimination and isolation can act as barriers, meaning women who are in most need of care are those who have the most difficulty accessing it.

• The most recent confidential enquiry into maternal deaths found 12% of women who died experienced severe and multiple disadvantages, including mental illness, substance misuse, and domestic abuse.

• Data suggests that postnatal depression and anxiety are 13% higher in Black and brown mothers than in white mothers.

• 93% of health visitors have reported seeing an increase in the number of families affected by poverty.

• 78% of health visitors are reporting an increase in maternal mental health problems

• Young mums face particular risks. Postnatal depression is up to twice as prevalent in teenage mothers compared to those over 20 and teenage maternal suicide is rising.

• Read our briefing.
• Discuss our policy asks, detailed throughout this briefing, with your colleagues, raise them in relevant debates and publicise them on your social media, tagging @MMHAlliance.
• Meet with the MMHA to further discuss the issues facing women and families. If your office contacts antonia@maternalmentalhealthalliance.org, we will schedule a time at your earliest convenience.