MMHA and Shadow Minister hold crucial discussion on mental health care for mothers

• At least 1 in 5 women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or the first years after having a babyⁱ
• Black and minority ethnic women, young mothers and those facing domestic abuse or multiple disadvantages continue to experience poorer outcomesⁱⁱ
• Suicide remains the leading cause of maternal death between 6 weeks and a year after giving birthⁱⁱⁱ

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) is co-hosting a vital roundtable discussion on Monday 27^th November 2023 with Abena Oppong-Asare, Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, and a number of women’s health organisations, to address the urgent need for enhanced maternal mental health care. This event will look at what can be done to improve access to mental health support within maternity and health visiting services for all women. The discussion will also highlight the urgent need to address inequalities which lead to higher levels of risk and poorer experiences of care for Black and minority ethnic women, young mothers, and those facing multiple disadvantages such as domestic abuse, poverty, insecure housing, and addiction.

The case for supporting women’s mental health during pregnancy and after birth could not be clearer and the MMHA wants to see all political parties include maternal mental health in their election manifestos.

Urgent action is needed

Maternal mental health problems are the most common complication of pregnancy and the postnatal period and the human and economic cost of failing to care for women, babies and families affected is undeniable.

According to research by the London School of Economics, untreated maternal mental illness costs the country a staggering £8.1 billion for each annual cohort of births in the UK. Not only that, but suicide remains the leading cause of maternal death in the postnatal period. It is the sad reality that in 2020, women were three times more likely to die by suicide during or up to six weeks after the end of pregnancy compared to 2017-19.

The mental health needs of new and expectant mothers cannot be ignored.

Laura Seebohm CEO of the MMHA, said:

"With at least 1 in 5 women developing a mental illness during pregnancy or postnatally, maternal mental health is a subject that demands immediate and ongoing attention. We are delighted to engage with Shadow Minister Abena Oppong-Asare to address the critical need for improved mental health care within the routine contacts women have with healthcare professionals. We want to see an end to the widening health inequalities in maternal mental health care. We look forward to similar conversations with other major political parties in the coming weeks.”

Key areas for transformation

The MMHA has outlined five key areas requiring attention, and for the postcode lottery to end, to create positive change for all women, babies, and families impacted by perinatal mental illness:

1. High-quality and compassionate care within universal services: More resources for these vital services, support for midwives and health visitors to skilfully discuss mental health at every routine contact with women by providing training and education for all staff. Specialist perinatal mental health visitors and midwives in every area, along with national quality standards.
2. Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services across the UK: Ensure well-resourced teams across the UK deliver specialist services that meet national quality standards and align with the ambitions of NHS England’s Long Term Plan.
3. Continued funding for trauma and loss support: Maintain funding for Maternal Mental Health Services that provide essential support for women experiencing trauma and baby loss nationwide.
4. Addressing health inequalities: Take decisive action to reverse health inequalities in maternal mental health care, including introducing government targets to improve disparities in maternal deaths for the most disadvantaged groups, a commitment to a trauma-informed approach in health services, and equipping all staff with the skills to address mental health and social needs.
5. Greater data collection and transparency: To demonstrate progress and identify gaps, ensuring services meet the needs of all women and families.

Laura Seebohm, continued:

“Untreated mental illness during pregnancy and after birth can have devastating consequences, but there is a real opportunity for positive change by improving access to high-quality, compassionate care. We want to see this vital area of healthcare get the attention it deserves.”

The MMHA remains steadfast in its commitment to improving maternal mental health care for every woman and family in the UK.

Abena Oppong-Asare, Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, said:

“Too many mothers suffering from poor postnatal mental health are not receiving the care they need. It is tragic that the leading cause of death for new mothers is suicide and deeply worrying that Black, Asian and ethnic minority mothers are most affected by mental ill-health.

“I’m so pleased to join the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) and other important voices to discuss these urgent challenges and to share Labour’s plan to tackle the country’s mental health crisis and the vast health inequalities we face."

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