MMHA collaborates with iHV on PIMH conference #iHVPIMH19

This year’s Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) conference, in collaboration with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), will focus on the importance of good relationships in perinatal and infant mental health (PIMH) care.

“We are delighted to collaborate with iHV on their second annual PIMH conference and look forward to welcoming delegates, hearing from those with experience of PIMH care and discussing opportunities to improve relationships and access to specialist services.” Clare Dolman, Vice Chair of the MMHA

Continue reading MMHA collaborates with iHV on PIMH conference #iHVPIMH19 →

Summer 2019 campaign e-bulletin out now

The Everyone’s Business Summer 2019 e-bulletin has all the latest updates from the Campaign, including details about:

  • Progress in England and the remaining challenges.
  • What’s happening with the £50 million in Scotland
  • How campaigners in Northern Ireland are making the case for specialist services.

Download now

Please share with anyone who may be interested, and if you are on Twitter retweet the e-bulletin from @MMHAlliance using #everyonesbusiness.

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For physical copies, email amyt@maternalmentalhealthalliance.org.

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2019

When is it?

10th to 16th June 2019.

What is it?

A week-long campaign organised by The Association for Infant Mental Health UK (AIMH UK).

This year’s topic is ‘Difficult Beginnings’.

What’s happening and how to get involved

AIMH (UK) will be sharing articles each day following a different theme, see full list on the AIMH (UK) website.

Join in the discussion on Twitter using #IMHAW19.

Positive steps taken in Scotland to improve access to inpatient care

In 2015, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland carried out a themed visit to find out how many women received care in a local adult acute ward, without their baby, during a period of perinatal mental illness. They found that just over one third of women were separated from their baby, sometimes for a prolonged period. In Scotland, it is a legal duty for Health Boards to provide joint mother and baby admissions. Continue reading Positive steps taken in Scotland to improve access to inpatient care →

Political parties in Northern Ireland agree landmark maternal mental health Consensus Statement

“We in Northern Ireland urgently request the commitment of investment and ring-fencing of funds required to ensure women, babies, families and communities get the care and support they need and deserve.” 
– Consensus Statement on the improvement of Perinatal Mental Health services in Northern Ireland

Despite the stalemate in Stormont, all political parties in Northern Ireland have co-signed a ground-breaking Consensus Statement, drafted as part of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance Everyone’s Business campaign, committing to close the gap in specialist mental health provision for women during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth.

England, Scotland and Wales have faced similar challenges with their specialist perinatal mental health services, but in recent years each have seen significant improvements due to specific and targeted investment. While stakeholders in Northern Ireland have shown support in principal, until now a formal commitment had not been made. Continue reading Political parties in Northern Ireland agree landmark maternal mental health Consensus Statement →

NHS England announce specialist mental health support for new mums now available across England

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance’s (MMHA) Everyone’s Business campaign welcomes today’s announcement from NHS England about the opening of specialist perinatal mental health services in the remaining areas of England, meaning women should now be able to access life-saving care in their local area. Continue reading NHS England announce specialist mental health support for new mums now available across England →

UK Maternal Mental Health Matters Awareness Week 2019

When is it?

29th April to 5th May 2019, organised by MMHA member the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership (PMHP).

What is it?

A week-long campaign dedicated to talking about mental illness during pregnancy or after having a baby and signposting to support for all mums. The focus is on advocating for mums affected by maternal mental health and helping them to access the information and help they need to enable recovery.

This year’s theme for the third annual UK Maternal Mental Health Matters Awareness Week is Mums Matter.

How to get involved

  1. Highlight what your organisation does to support families affected by perinatal mental illness
  2. Join in with the daily activities listed below
  3. Use the #maternalmhmatters hashtag on social media when referring to the week

Continue reading UK Maternal Mental Health Matters Awareness Week 2019 →

Spring 2019 campaign e-bulletin published

The Everyone’s Business campaign Spring 2019 e-bulletin is now out, including details about:

  • Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement of more than £50m for perinatal and infant mental health
  • London turning the map green
  • NSPCC NI’s new report saying it’s ‘time for action’

Download now

Please circulate far and wide and if you are on Twitter please retweet the e-bulletin from @MMHAlliance using #everyonesbusiness.

If you would like to receive the e-bulletins directly please sign up to our mailing list using the box on the right.

First Minister announces more than £50m funding boost for perinatal and infant mental health services

On 6th March, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and Minister for Mental Health, Clare Haughey, visited the mother and baby unit (MBU) at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, Scotland, where they announced that more than £50m is to be spent on improving access to perinatal mental health (PMH) services.

Following the funding announcement, the National Managed Clinical Network (MCN) for PMH launched their needs assessment report, funded by the Scottish Government, and Women and Families Maternal Mental Health Pledge, which was developed in partnership with Maternal Mental Health Scotland Change Agents.

Continue reading First Minister announces more than £50m funding boost for perinatal and infant mental health services →

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) responds to the launch of NHS England’s long term plan

January 7th saw the launch of the NHS Long Term Plan, setting out their ambitions for health care in England, including many positive goals for perinatal mental health.

Commenting on the publication of the NHS long term plan, The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) Director Emily Slater welcomed the plan’s announcement and commitment to women and families in England, in particular the news of an increase in services to benefit more women and the extension of specialist mental health support for new parents, which will now be offered for two years after the birth of their child.

Emily Slater said:

“The Maternal Mental Health Alliance is really pleased to see that the NHS has committed to expanding perinatal mental health services and helping more women and families access vital treatment. The details of the long-term plan signals that the NHS wants to build on the success it has had creating specialist perinatal mental health services to ensure more women and families can access essential, lifesaving support.”

Continue reading The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) responds to the launch of NHS England’s long term plan →