Event Summary

Perinatal mental health (PMH) problems affect around 1 in 4 new or expectant mothers, covering a wide range of conditions.* With 40% of deaths within the first year after pregnancy being related to mental health, it’s vital families get the right help at the right time*.

Despite significant increases in funding for specialised Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) services since 2016, clear gaps in services remain. Chaired by Laura Seebohm, CEO of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, join Westminster Insight’s Closing the Gaps in Perinatal Mental Health Services digital conference as we discuss embedding PMH and wider services into the heart of communities. Ensuring all families receive timely and effective help.

Hear from Zoe Clark-Coates MBE, Co-Chair of the Pregnancy Loss Review, to get the latest updates on the review. Understand how you can provide sensitive care, using appropriate language, to families experiencing loss.

Leaders and experts-by experience, across perinatal and maternity services, mental health, social services, and the third sector will focus on early intervention and holistic PMH support.

Understand how you can improve cultural sensitivity, trust, and participation in services for underserved communities. We will spotlight the experiences of mothers from across Black, South Asian, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Hear from specialist services for those facing multiple adversities such as poverty, substance misuse, and domestic abuse, to understand how to tailor support for vulnerable women. Get inspiration on best practice from organisations such as Birth Companions, Action on Postpartum Psychosis, The Royal College of Midwives, and Safe Lives.

We will also look at examples of impactful service provision specifically aimed at supporting fathers and LGBTQ+ parents. Scott Mair, Founder of the Fathers Beacon, and Dr Susan Pawlby, Chair of the Brazelton Centre UK, will explore reducing the risks and escalation of perinatal mental health problems, by using a family approach to service provision.

*MBRRACE-UK “Saving Lives Improving Mothers’ Care” report, November 2022

Key Points

  • Updates and next steps in policy and funding for PMH services
  • Reviewing what’s next in bereavement support following the Pregnancy Loss Review
  • Learning from lived experience and embedding PMH support within communities
  • Improving early intervention and stopping families from falling through the gaps
  • Improving cultural sensitivity, trust, and participation in services for underserved communities
  • Spotlighting experiences of Black, South Asian and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities
  • Taking a whole-family approach to PMH support including fathers, LGBTQ+ families, and infant-parent relationships