Maternal mental health in the UK: where are we now?
Mental health problems during pregnancy and the first year after birth are common. NHS England describes perinatal mental health problems as affecting up to 26% of new and expectant mothers. These range from anxiety and depression to severe illnesses such as postpartum psychosis.
As awareness grows, it is worth looking at what is working, what still needs attention, and what good support should look like for mothers and families across the UK.
What’s working: a positive shift in maternal mental health support
1. Greater awareness
Maternal mental health is discussed more openly than it was a decade ago. Campaigns, media coverage and honest personal stories have helped make it easier to talk about postnatal depression, anxiety, birth trauma and other perinatal mental health problems.
2. Specialist perinatal services
NHS England reports that more than 66,000 women accessed specialist community-based perinatal mental health care and support in 2025. Specialist services support people with moderate to severe or complex needs.
3. Maternal Mental Health Services
NHS England says 42 Maternal Mental Health Services are operating across England, supporting people whose mental health difficulties arise from or are linked to experiences such as birth trauma, perinatal loss or severe fear of childbirth.
4. Mental health is part of postnatal care
The NHS says your GP surgery should offer a postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after birth, and that this usually includes a discussion about mental health and wellbeing.
What still needs to improve
Progress in service provision does not mean everyone has the same experience of care. Waiting times and local service capacity can still shape what support looks like in practice. Awareness of referral routes and whether someone feels able to ask for help matter too.
Support should not depend on how well someone can advocate for themselves
Perinatal mental health problems can be under-recognised. NICE recommends that healthcare professionals ask about depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the postnatal period. It also recommends tools such as the EPDS, PHQ-9 or GAD measures when clinically appropriate.
Care needs to work for different communities
Culturally relevant information, language support, continuity of care and an understanding of social circumstances matter. NICE specifically recommends culturally relevant information. It also recommends comprehensive assessment that considers social isolation, housing, employment, domestic abuse and other factors that can affect mental health.
Partners and families matter too
NICE guidance says services should take account of the needs of partners, families and carers where appropriate. NHS England is also expanding psychological support and mental-health checks for partners of people using specialist perinatal services.
What good maternal mental health care should include
- Routine opportunities to talk about mental health during pregnancy and after birth, not only when somebody reaches crisis point.
- Clear referral routes from GPs, midwives, health visitors and maternity teams into appropriate support.
- Evidence-based treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma and severe mental illness, tailored to pregnancy or the postnatal period.
- Support that recognises the whole picture, including birth experience, feeding, sleep, physical recovery, relationships and practical pressures.
- Fast action when symptoms are severe. NICE says sudden symptoms suggesting postpartum psychosis require immediate specialist assessment.
When to seek urgent help
Low mood, anxiety, hopelessness, feeling unable to cope, severe agitation or frightening thoughts after having a baby deserve support. Postnatal depression is treatable.
If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or emergency, seek urgent help. Sudden symptoms of postpartum psychosis, particularly in the first two weeks after birth, need immediate assessment.
For non-urgent concerns, speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor. You do not need to wait for the 6-to-8-week postnatal check to ask for help.
Final thoughts
Maternal mental health care in the UK has moved forward, particularly through expanded specialist perinatal services. The next challenge is making sure awareness translates into timely, equitable and compassionate care for the people who need it.
Good care means listening early, taking symptoms seriously and recognising that mental health is part of maternity care, not an optional extra.
Sources and support
NHS England: Perinatal mental health
NHS: Your 6-week postnatal check
NICE CG192: Antenatal and postnatal mental health
NHS: Postnatal depression
