Maternal Mental Health Alliance

Women, birthing people, families and staff are invited to share experiences of maternity & neonatal care in England via the National Maternity & Neonatal Investigation. Lived experience, including mental health, is vital to shaping better care. Please share only what feels safe 💙

📢 Real change isn’t seasonal. It’s shaped by people who show up and push for better systems of support. To our supporters, members and partners: thank you for the difference you make, day in and day out. 

Reshare and tag us, your voice helps strengthen the collective impact 🤍

📢 Real change isn’t seasonal. It’s shaped by people who show up and push for better systems of support. To our supporters, members and partners: thank you for the difference you make, day in and day out. 

Reshare and tag us, your voice helps strengthen the collective impact 🤍

We are delighted to introduce our Story of Change concept, created for the Maternal Mental Health Councils Programme. Download here: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/resources/?query=story+of+change

We welcome news that Seren Lodge, a new specialist Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Chester, will open later this month. The eight-bed unit will support women and birthing people, their babies and families across Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales. Timely access to MBU care can life-changing.

Read and hear more about Tessa’s story of Termination for Medical Reasons as part of our This is Also Motherhood exhibition with Carolyn Mendelsohn: https://www.alsomotherhood.com/tessa #AlsoMotherhood

As many as 1 in 4 women and birthing people will experience mental health problems around pregnancy. Download our Signs & Symptoms Checker here: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health #ItStartsWithAwareness

Young mums and birthing people face extra pressures; from isolation to navigating complex systems with a new baby. With Pilgrim Trust funding, MMHA and partners are delivering a new Link Work Service offering flexible support for mums aged 16–25. 

💜 Read more on our Projects page.

Baroness Amos’ findings echo years of concern: maternity care is failing too many, especially those facing mental health difficulties. People aren’t being listened to, informed or treated fairly. This investigation must lead to safe, holistic and respectful care for all.

#MMHA

We’re proud to be working with @york.ac.uk and @ruthndwrites.bsky.social on a study exploring how community-based support can improve #mentalhealth in young mothers and birthing people under 25 💜 Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/perinatal-support

This photo shows just a few of the amazing attendees, shoutout to colleagues from Endometriosis UK, The Eve Appeal, Florence Nightingale Foundation, College of Sexual & Reproductive Health, Group B Strep Support, RCM, Twins Trust, and Wellbeing of Women.

It’s incredibly important for us to be involved in this conversation so we can ensure perinatal mental health is factored in the government’s strategy. 

We’ll always bring perinatal mental health to the table.

Feeding perinatal mental health into top-down plans is vital to keep the UK focused on this work.

Mental health is already in the strategy, and we have a strong chance to push for more on perinatal mental health.

It means we have a direct influence on NHS national planning, and that they’re listening to women’s health priorities.

The Labour Government has asked her team to refresh the Women’s Health Strategy in line with the NHS 10-year plan.

Why is this exciting?

Because Labour continuing this work shows it’s valued and impactful.

A huge thank you to Kate Lancaster at RCOG for inviting our CEO Nikki Wilson to Friday’s roundtable chaired by Prof Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England 💜

In a new guest blog for MMHA, Lucienne Cooper from #DSUK outlines new research highlighting the effect of how Down syndrome screening is framed, discussed and results delivered can have an effect on #perinatalmentalhealth. Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/4kysuf75

Meet Naomi, our new Lived Experience Champion.

After a difficult pregnancy with type 1 diabetes & an eating disorder during the pandemic, she found support through peer networks & counselling. Perinatal mental health must be routine so no one struggles alone 💜

#PerinatalMentalHealth

We’re amplifying the voices of women and birthing people facing addiction and perinatal mental health challenges.

Stigma harms, compassion heals.

In collaboration with Her Circle @hercirclene.bsky.social, we’re pushing for trauma-informed, joined-up care.

#AddictionAwarenessWeek

The exhibition may be over but the This is Also Motherhood website is now live! Head over to discover 10 powerful stories of mental health, strength and survival #AlsoMotherhood #PerinatalMentalHealth

www.alsomotherhood.com

Our network of Lived Experience Champions includes parents and their families whose lives have been impacted by perinatal mental illness. They share stories to help raise awareness, reduce stigma and influence positive change. Read Maela’s story: tinyurl.com/hjyjj2t3 #WorldPrematurityDay

As an @agenda-alliance.bsky.social member, we’re honoured to represent #PerinatalMentalHealth in this collective movement for lasting change. Here’s to the next decade of progress, partnership, and a fairer future for all. 💜 #AllianceForChange

Today, the MMHA team is proud to join trailblazing women and allies at the @agenda-alliance.bsky.social Convention to celebrate a decade of impact and advocacy for women and girls at the sharpest end of inequality. 1/2 #AllianceForChange

Today, I joined @mmhalliance.bsky.social in Parliament, where I heard directly from Black mothers.

Timely and effective support is transformative for maternal outcomes, yet Black mothers still face higher risks and systemic barriers to receiving appropriate care.

A fantastic day of awareness raising and commitment to taking action on improving perinatal mental health support for Black mothers and their families. Read all about it: maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/news/parliam...

ICYMI: We’ve recapped @laurakyrkesmith.bsky.social's introduction of "Sophie's Law" and the MBRRACE-UK debate in the House of Lords last month, including key questions from MMHA Chair Luciana Berger, Lord Patel and Baroness Gohir: maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/news/sophies...

See T&Cs: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Donate before midday tomorrow (15 Oct) to be in with a chance to win a FREE copy of our ‘This is Also Motherhood’ book, signed by award-winning photographer, Carolyn Mendelsohn: lnkd.in/eqGUGf-9

We couldn't have created the Symptom Checker without donations from last year's Big Give campaign. Please help us reach our target this year so we can do even more: donate.biggive.org/donate/a05WS...

We're 18% of the way there with just two days to go. Donate or share now.