The MMHA brings MPs together to champion maternal mental health at Parliamentary event

To mark World Maternal Mental Health Day (7 May), the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) organised a parliamentary drop-in event, co-hosted by MPs Laura Kyrke-Smith and Kirith Entwistle, to spotlight the urgent need for improved perinatal mental health care across the UK. 

The event follows a recent Westminster Hall debate on maternal mental health, called by Laura Kyrke-Smith MP, and brought together MPs from across the political spectrum. It offered parliamentarians the chance to hear from women with lived experience and to understand why timely, specialised care is essential for new and expectant mothers. 

We were honoured to welcome Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Primary Care, to meet MMHA Lived Experience Champions, and hear moving accounts of their personal stories and the impact of inadequate care.

Women’s Health Minister Baroness Merron said:

“It was a privilege to attend this Maternal Mental Health Alliance event to mark World Maternal Mental Health Day, and listen to the women who bravely shared their experiences.

“There is no doubt that more needs to be done to address this critical issue and ensure that all women and families have access to the high-quality, compassionate care and support they need.

“We are making progress already - making specialist perinatal mental health services available for new mothers and investing in 8,500 extra mental health workers across the country.

“As we keep working to improve services for pregnant women and new mothers, we know that women’s voices must be at the heart of all we do.”

One in four women experience a mental health problem during the perinatal period (from pregnancy through to two years after birth). Yet many still struggle to access the timely, specialist care they need. Suicide remains the leading cause of direct maternal death between six weeks and one year after birth, highlighting the urgent need for action. The perinatal period presents a critical window of opportunity to support women, babies, and families.

Around 40 MPs and Members of the House of Lords attended the event to pledge their support for improving maternal mental health care for families in their constituencies and across the UK. They also heard about key recommendations to ensure that maternal mental health is treated as a national priority.

Laura Kryke Smith MP, who sponsored the event, said:

“Mental health care during pregnancy and after birth isn’t optional - it’s essential. I am delighted that so many MPs are standing up for maternal mental health and joining the growing cross-party call for urgent action. Every woman deserves timely, compassionate support, wherever she lives and whatever her circumstances. We must work together to make that a reality.”

Karen Middleton, Head of Campaigns and Policy at the MMHA, said:

“Too many women and families across the UK still face barriers to life-saving perinatal mental health support. We’re grateful to all Parliamentarians for joining us and advocating for the high-quality, specialist care every new and expectant mum deserves. By tackling stigma and addressing stubborn gaps and inequities, we can transform outcomes for mothers and babies. We must build a future where every family can access the care they need, when and where they need it.”

The event made clear that momentum is building for change. The MMHA will continue working with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and women with lived experience to ensure perinatal mental health care is accessible, equitable, and embedded in our health system.