Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.
The week is all about:
- raising public and professional awareness of maternal mental health problems
- advocating for women and families impacted
- changing attitudes
- helping people access the information, care and support they need to recover.
The week is organised and led by MMHA member Perinatal Mental Health Partnership UK (PMHP UK), who launched the first-ever UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week in 2017.
Maternal mental health conditions
Most people are aware of postnatal depression, or PND, but depression can also occur during pregnancy. Other perinatal mental illnesses include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.
These illnesses can range from mild to severe, and require specialist treatment as soon as possible. The most serious perinatal mental health problem is considered to be pregnancy and postpartum psychosis, which should be treated as a medical emergency if suspected.
You may have heard the terms "perinatal mental health" and "maternal mental health" used interchangeably. Both refer to mental health during pregnancy and up to two years after giving birth.
Find Support
If you are concerned about your mental health, or the mental health of someone you know, it is important to:
- Talk to a health professional, such as a GP, midwife, health visitor or therapy service
- Go to A&E at your local hospital in an emergency
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free to call and will not appear on your phone bill), or email jo@samaritans.org
Support Organisations:
PANDAS is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family and your network if affected by perinatal mental illness.
PANDA's have a variety of different support services available, including support groups, phone / email / Whats' App support. Find out how to access support from PANDA's here.
Association for Postnatal Illness (APNI)
Provide support to anyone suffering from or affected by postnatal Illness, including partners, family/friends.
Helpline: 0207 386 0868 (from 10 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday)
Chat with APNI using their Chat box
Parents in Mind can offer mild to moderate mental health support with a trained peer support volunteer. They offer support to mums and birthing people in the North West, as well as a support service for fathers.
