Published on: 7 May 2025
This week marks Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, a time to shine a spotlight on the emotional wellbeing of mothers and birthing people during pregnancy and the first two years after birth. It’s a vital opportunity to acknowledge the challenges many families face and to reaffirm our commitment, as a Trust, to providing compassionate, timely, and specialist support through our Perinatal Mental Health Services.
Why maternal mental health matters
Becoming a parent can be one of life’s most transformative experiences. But for many, it also brings emotional difficulties that are unexpected, overwhelming, and isolating. As many as 1 in 5 women will experience mental health problems during the perinatal period, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and in some cases, more severe illnesses such as postpartum psychosis. These experiences can impact not only the mother but also the baby, partner, and wider family network. That’s why early identification and holistic, trauma-informed care are crucial.
Our service and approach
Our specialist Perinatal Mental Health inpatient and community teams provide support for women and birthing people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy and up to two years year postnatally. We work closely with midwives, health visitors, GPs, maternity services and community organisations to ensure joined-up care. We offer a range of interventions, including psychological therapies, medication management, support with bonding and attachment, and peer support opportunities. Our team is passionate about ensuring care is culturally sensitive, inclusive, and co-produced with people who have lived experience of perinatal mental health difficulties.
This year’s theme: “Your voice, your strength’
The theme for 2025 aims to promote important opportunities to talk about maternal mental health. Daily themes include a range of topics to advocate the need for all families affected by perinatal mental illness to access the information and help they require to enable recovery. You can learn more about Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week on the Maternal Mental Health Alliance website.
Shelley Chatten, Interim Perinatal Area Service Manager at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said, “Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of recognising and responding to the emotional needs of parents early. Our team is here to listen, to walk alongside families through difficult times and to ensure no one feels alone in their journey to recovery. Every parent deserves to feel heard, supported and understood.”
For more information about Derbyshire Perinatal Mental Health Services, referral pathways, or training sessions, please visit the Perinatal (mother and baby) services page on our website.
