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 →

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 →

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) is working with member Centre for Mental Health to explore the impact of COVID-19 on maternal mental health.

Funded by Comic Relief, we will be conducting a rapid evidence review of the impact of COVID-19 on maternal mental health and services, including the voluntary and community sector, across all four UK nations.

Continue reading Rapid review of the impact of COVID-19 on maternal mental health and services →

These are uncertain times for us all, but particularly those who are expecting or have recently had a baby.

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) does not usually create materials for mums directly, but in these extraordinary times, MMHA members, staff and leading experts have collaborated on guidance to help new and expectant mums protect their mental wellbeing.

Now also available in Welsh

In the hope of reaching as many new and expectant mums in the UK as possible with expert information to support their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the MMHA guidance is also available in the Welsh language:

Special thanks to those Maternal Mental Health Alliance members, Everyone’s Business lived experience champions, maternity and maternal mental health professionals who helped produce this guidance.