New maternal mental health briefing for integrated care systems

Maternal mental health problems are common and can have devastating consequences for women, babies, and families. However, timely access to effective help can make a big difference in long-term health outcomes for mothers and generations to come.

With recent changes to local health commissioning in England, it’s important that all integrated care systems (ICSs) understand the crucial role they have in ensuring every new and expectant mother receives the right mental health support at the right time, close to home.

If untreated, maternal mental health problems can cost an average-sized ICS the equivalent of £190 million per year.

To help ICSs meet the needs of local families, the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) commissioned Centre for Mental Health to produce a maternal mental health briefing. The aim of the paper is to outline why maternal mental health is so important, explain the steps ICSs can take to provide the right support, and highlight the 10 key areas in need of immediate action:

1. Universal services
   
2. NHS talking therapies
3. Specialist perinatal mental health services
4. Inpatient services
5. Maternal mental health services
6. Voluntary and community sector support
7. Family hubs
8. Baby loss support
9. Tackling stigma
10. Reducing loneliness and isolation.

The MMHA wants all integrated care boards and partnerships to work collectively across the NHS, local government, other public services, and voluntary sector organisations to provide services that support maternal mental health, reduce health inequalities and use public money wisely so that all women and their families can access the care they need.

Change is possible when we work together

Please help us ensure this briefing drives change for women, babies, and families: 

1. Download and share the briefing with decision-makers in your locality
   
2. Share the briefing on your socials, tagging @MMHAlliance and @CentreforMH
3. Talk about the briefing with those in a position to make change happen.