Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 4-10 May 2026
Mental health difficulties during pregnancy and after birth are more common than many people realise. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and postnatal depression can affect anyone, regardless of background or circumstances. Left unsupported, these challenges can impact not only mothers but also their families and wider support networks. According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RGON, 2017), as many as one in five women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Suicide is a leading cause of maternal deaths in the UK within a year after childbirth. At that time, the RGON found that pregnant women and new mothers had no access to specialist community perinatal mental health services in almost half of the UK.
It is important to seek support if these symptoms persist.
Creating a supportive environment for a mother makes a significant difference. Whether you are a partner, friend, colleague, or employer, you can help by:
- Listening without judgement
- Offering practical help with daily tasks
- Encouraging rest and self-care
- Checking in regularly
- Signposting to professional support when needed
If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out is a positive and important step. Support is available through:
- GP services and health visitors
- Local perinatal mental health team (Perinatal parent infant mental health service-bdhvrbwf | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust)
- PANDAS Foundation UK PANDAS Foundation UK
- Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham (Home - Havering Mind)
- Maternal Mental Health Alliance
- Action on Postpartum Psychosis
- Association for Post-Natal Illness
- Maternal OCD
- Miscarriage Association
- Tommy’s
- Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
- Butterflies Group Butterflies – perinatal mental health and wellbeing group – Live Well Havering
You are not alone, and help is available.
Healthwatch Havering is your health and social care champion. We make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers hear what matters to you—and use your feedback to help improve care.
Tell us about your healthcare. Whether it was good, bad, or somewhere in between, your experience can help shape local health and social care services. Share your story confidentially at www.healthwatchhavering.org.uk, email enquiries@healthwatchhavering.org.uk, or call 01708 457040.
