New mental health services for new, expectant and bereaved mums

Around 6,000 new, expectant or bereaved mothers will receive help and support for their mental health through dozens of new dedicated Maternal Mental Health hubs, which are being set up across the country.

The 26 new hubs will bring together maternity services, reproductive health and psychological therapy under one roof as part of the commitment to improving access to perinatal mental health support in the NHS Long Term Plan. Continue reading New mental health services for new, expectant and bereaved mums →

MMHA response to ‘The Best Start for Life: A Vision for the 1,001 Critical Days’

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) warmly welcomes the launch of the Government’s Early Years Review – The Best Start for Life: A Vision for the 1,001 Critical Days.

Early Years Health Adviser Andrea Leadsom MP led the review, which details recommended best practice across the health system to ensure babies, children and their parents get the best possible start to their journey. Experts in child and perinatal health have been a key part of the review process, including many MMHA members.  Continue reading MMHA response to ‘The Best Start for Life: A Vision for the 1,001 Critical Days’ →

Services supporting the mental health of new and soon-to-be mums under serious strain

Guest blog by Dr Hind Khalifeh, consultant perinatal psychiatrist

The pandemic has compounded the mental health problems experienced by pregnant and postnatal women, and at the same time limited their personal and professional support networks. This has put a significant strain on our perinatal mental health services.

The report commissioned by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), conducted by Centre for Mental Health, points to a national picture of services under strain and growing demand, and that’s certainly our experience in our specialist perinatal mental health service in London. Continue reading Services supporting the mental health of new and soon-to-be mums under serious strain →

MMHA calls on the next Welsh Government to prioritise perinatal mental health

By Dr Sarah Witcombe-Hayes, Everyone’s Business Wales Coordinator

The next Senedd elections are less than 50 days away and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance want to ensure that perinatal mental health is firmly on the agenda.

On Thursday 6th May 2021, the people of Wales will elect members to the newly renamed Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament. This historic election will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds have the opportunity to vote since the Senedd was established in 1999.

MMHA has used the strength of our collective voice to launch a Senedd Election Manifesto that calls on all political parties and candidates to prioritise maternal mental health and Turn the Map Green during the next Senedd term. Continue reading MMHA calls on the next Welsh Government to prioritise perinatal mental health →

Services supporting maternal mental health must hear the voices of black and brown women

Guest blog by Clotilde Rebecca Abe, founder and CEO of Prosperitys Trust and Co-founder of Five X More

When I was pregnant with my first child, I went to see my local GP because I was concerned about my mental health. It was hard to admit I needed help. I was asked by the doctor whether I was experiencing suicidal thoughts. I wasn’t, so I answered ‘no’. But if I was, I am sure I would have still answered ‘no’ because I would have been concerned that my child might be taken away from me if I said ‘yes’. So I did not get the treatment, advice and support I needed. Afterwards, the experience made me feel stupid, but more importantly it seemed like there was a barrier to treatment that I couldn’t hurdle. Continue reading Services supporting maternal mental health must hear the voices of black and brown women →

New and expectant mums face increased mental health risks caused by the pandemic

New report raises concerns as services supporting women and babies come under strain.

During and after pregnancy, women have faced a greater likelihood of poor mental health during the pandemic, including anxiety, depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts, according to a new report commissioned by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. Continue reading New and expectant mums face increased mental health risks caused by the pandemic →

New preconception resources for women with serious mental illness

Guest blog by Katie Atmore and Professor Louise Howard, King’s College London

MMHA member Tommy’s has collaborated with Public Health England and King’s College London to develop preconception resources for women with serious mental illness (SMI) and the frontline health professionals who support them. Continue reading New preconception resources for women with serious mental illness →

Funding approved for Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Robin Swann, has approved funding for the development of a new Perinatal Mental Health Delivery Model, including specialist multi-disciplinary perinatal mental health teams in each of the five trust areas. Continue reading Funding approved for Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland →

Urgent opportunity for perinatal voluntary and community organisations to voice COVID-19 experience

As part of the review of evidence MMHA has commissioned member the Centre for Mental Health to carry out, we are calling all voluntary and community sector organisations working with women and families in the perinatal period to complete this short survey: Continue reading Urgent opportunity for perinatal voluntary and community organisations to voice COVID-19 experience →

Autumn 2020 eBulletin out now!

 

Download now

The Everyone’s Business autumn 2020 eBulletin contains the latest from the Everyone’s Business Campaign and UK perinatal mental health (PMH) community.

This quarter, you’ll find updates on:

    1. MMHA and Centre for Mental Health’s COVID-19 rapid research review
    2. the continued impact of the pandemic on PMH and services
    3. MBRRACE-UK’s latest findings and why specialist PMH services are so important.

And much more…

Please share widely among your networks! On Twitter, tag @MMHAlliance and use #EveryonesBusiness. Continue reading Autumn 2020 eBulletin out now! →