Page 1 of Real life stories | Maternal Mental Health Alliance

Our valued network of 'Lived Experience Champions' includes mums, dads, siblings and grandparents from across the UK whose lives have been impacted by perinatal mental illness. They share their stories to help raise awareness, reduce stigma and influence positive system change.

Contact us if you’d like to learn more about our network or explore opportunities to involve experts by experience in your work. Please note: our Champions’ stories, quotes, and images are shared with great care and cannot be used or distributed without permission.

8th June 2023 | 1 min read

Sapna (Bristol)

"In Asian culture, girls are expected to become mums and not complain if they do begin to struggle. That’s not right or fair."

14th August 2019 | 1 min read

Lucie (Surrey)

"Emma’s death should not be in vain."

3rd April 2019 | 2 min read

Lindsey (County Down)

"Without doubt, we need a dedicated Mother and Baby Unit in Northern Ireland and maternal mental health must be discussed at every hospital appointment and in antenatal classes."

29th June 2022 | 2 min read

Abi (Edinburgh)

"It’s estimated that around 13% of expectant or new mums are living with an eating disorder."

6th March 2023 | 1 min read

Chrissy (Kent)

"I felt pressure as a Black mum that I'd be judged and not listened to. I was scared my children would be taken away."

19th March 2019 | 1 min read

Charlotte (Cardiff)

"I feel the fear of having your baby taken away is a real worry for mothers with mental health problems."

6th March 2019 | 2 min read

Clare (Glasgow)

"I couldn't sleep, even when the baby slept, and during my daughter's ninth week of life I didn't sleep for three nights in a row. At this point, my community psychiatric nurse suggested 'a wee stay in the mother and baby unit'."

27th June 2017 | 2 min read

Dani (Belfast)

"I was very fortunate that I was able to get the support that I needed."

10th July 2018 | 1 min read

Elaine (Chester)

"I ended up in a general psychiatric hospital for eight weeks...Being cared for without my son was not ideal."

2nd March 2023 | 2 min read

Eleanor (Bromley)

"I was assigned a perinatal mental health nurse and a nursery nurse, who worked with my baby and me on our bonding. It was invaluable being under their care."