Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 ran from 5th – 11th May.  

World Maternal Mental Health Day took place on Wednesday, 7th May.

This annual campaign, organised by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership UK (PMHP UK), aims to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by women before, during, and after pregnancy and to encourage people to talk more openly about their experiences.

Why maternal mental health matters

Maternal mental health is a critical issue and affects many women.

These challenges can include depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum psychosis, and other conditions that can significantly impact the well-being of mothers and their families as they navigate change.

Many factors can increase someone’s risk of becoming mentally unwell during or after pregnancy, including a history of mental health problems, multiple pregnancies, a lack of support, and traumatic experiences, including baby loss and birth trauma.

One in five women will suffer from mental health conditions during pregnancy and the post-partum period, but it is reported that only 25% of them will receive treatment for this.

Although the NHS has implemented several initiatives to support maternal mental health, it is evident that resources as limited and further action needs to be taken to ensure suitable support is accessible to all women who can benefit.

Theme for 2025: “Your Voice, Your Strength”

This year’s theme, “Your Voice, Your Strength,” emphasises the importance of women feeling empowered to express their needs, feelings, and experiences. The campaign seeks to highlight the power of open conversations and the support available to those struggling with maternal mental health issues.

Each day of the week focuses on a specific aspect of maternal mental health:

Support services

If you or someone you know is experiencing maternal mental health challenges, the following services are available:

Unfortunately, these services are not available in all areas of England and Wales and can be difficult to access. You can speak to your GP or midwife about services available in your area.

• Mind: Mind is a mental health charity in the UK that offers information and advice to people with mental health concerns. The charity offers support and services for perinatal mental health, including specialist teams, community mental health teams, and crisis teams.
• Maternal Mental Health Alliance: A UK charity and network of 130 organisations dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal mental health problems have access to high-quality, compassionate care.

Comment

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is an important campaign and reminds us of the importance is raising awareness and advocating for accessible support to those who need it.

By having open conversations about our experiences, women can offer support to one another and reduce feelings of isolation and the stigma associated with experiencing poor mental health during and after pregnancy.

At Nelsons Solicitors, we are specialists in clinical negligence claims, including those relating to maternity care. We are highly experienced in supporting families, including those who may have been psychologically impacted by poor maternity care.