Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Poster for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, 5th–11th May 2025, featuring an outline of a mother holding a baby, floral elements, and social media information for Perinatal Mental Health Partnership UK (PMHP UK).

Monday 5 May – Sunday 11 May 2025 is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. This week aims to get people talking about mental health before, during and after pregnancy. This year the theme is 'Your voice, your strength' and each day of the Awareness Week will have its own unique focus.

Our Specialist Perinatal Service and Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service (PETALS) have put together information and resources on each of the daily themes below. Jump to a section using the links below:

You can find out more about the Specialist Perinatal Service here: Perinatal CMHT | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT. You can contact the PETALS service on 0161 271 0188 (option 4), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Monday: Conversations that matter - let's talk about maternal mental health

We can all struggle with our mental health at any time, but during pregnancy and up to two years after birth (also known as the perinatal period) can be a particularly difficult time. Around 20% of women/birthing people experience mental health difficulties during the perinatal period. However, we know that the majority of new parents may struggle to name, explain, or talk about these experiences. This can make it understandably difficult to reach out and means many people may struggle to ask for support that could really make a difference.

It’s not surprising that we are more likely to struggle at this time. We are undergoing massive changes in our lives: our routines, relationships and priorities are likely to shift. Our hormones rapidly rise and fall, impacting our mood, energy levels and our awareness of threat. We are likely to have all sorts of new worries that come with a new baby; we might feel unsupported, have worries about work or money, or be unsure about the future. On top of this, we now have a baby to look after as well as ourselves.

Some of the difficulties we can experience are:

intrusive thoughts
feeling low
change in appetite
hypervigilance
feeling anxious
feeling isolated
not enjoying things that you used to enjoy

These experiences are really common during this time period. Talking to someone about how we’re feeling can help us to feel less alone and can be the first step to accessing further support if we need it.
For some people, the pregnancy, birth, or neonatal period can be experienced as traumatic. This could be due to physical complications, negative experiences of healthcare, or decisions around birth and feeling a lack of control during this difficult period. In other cases, this might involve the loss of the pregnancy or baby. Understandably, these experiences can be incredibly difficult and can have a lasting impact on a person. The stages of grief or processing of trauma can naturally take time.

Starting the conversation about perinatal mental health

It can be difficult to talk about mental health difficulties under any circumstances. Perinatal mental health experiences can be especially difficult to share with others, particularly when we have the perception that other parents are coping. We may think we are expected to only feel joy and love when we have a new baby, however everybody will experience a range of different emotions. We hope Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week can help us to start these conversations, connect with others, and reach out for support.

Tuesday: Walking with you as you find your voice - supportive organisations

We recognise the importance of helping people to get access to additional support when needed and involving and supporting people most important to them. That's why there are services to support everyone in our community.

Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service (PETALS)

PETALS is a psychologically led service offering assessment and therapeutic support to people experiencing trauma symptoms directly related to perinatal loss or their perinatal journey (i.e. birth trauma, neonatal trauma, baby loss). PETALS also supports people experiencing significant fear related to pregnancy, childbirth, foetal medicine, hospital, or medical settings which is significantly impacting on pregnancy or decisions around reproduction and preventing a person from taking steps towards pregnancy.

Referral: Any healthcare professional can refer you to our service or you can make a self-referral.

Contact: 0161 0161 271 0188 (option 4), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Finding Rainbows

Finding Rainbows is a charity that offers support to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, child or through early pregnancy loss.

Black Beetle Health

Black Beetle Health is an expert lived experience led community public health organisation and registered charity dedicated to addressing health inequalities for LGBTQ+ Black and People of Colour in the UK.

Specialist Perinatal Service

The Specialist Perinatal Service supports women and birthing people who experience mental health difficulties during and after pregnancy, and up to one-year postnatally. The team will work to provide assessment, care and treatment including the prevention, detection, and management of maternal mental health problems.

Referral: Any healthcare professional can refer you to our service.

Contact: 0161 271 0188

Dad Matters

Dad Matters offers support to dads and partners in terms of peer support on a one-to-one basis or group.

Tommy's

Tommy’s is a charity that offers support to partners following loss of a baby.

Wednesday: World Maternal Mental Health Day - Stronger Together

“With peer support, every shared story becomes a lifeline, transforming isolation into hope and reminding us that together, we have the strength to heal.”

Peer Support

Peer support workers are individuals with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges who have been through their own recovery journey. They offer understanding and support, having faced similar struggles themselves. While they may not know exactly how you feel, they can often relate to your emotions and experiences. Peer support workers can help you build a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself, as they understand your difficulties and recognise the effort you’re making. Even when things feel difficult or hopeless, peer support workers can offer encouragement and remind you that improvement is possible. It’s not always easy for family or friends to know what to say or how to help, which can sometimes leave you feeling isolated.

Peer support can ease that loneliness and help you feel more heard and understood.

The Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service (PETALS) and the Specialist Perinatal Services both have peer support workers who work closely with other peer support organisations like Finding Rainbows and Dad Matters.

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

This timeless saying highlights how crucial communal support is when raising a family. Historically, new members relied on extended family and community members to share skills, experiences, and emotional support. while modern life often leaves parents feeling more isolated. The core truth remains - thriving families typically depend on having a support network.

It is essential that the entire family feels acknowledged and cared for, yet today’s busy lifestyles can make it harder to access help and may lead to isolation. Lack of community and connection is recognised as a significant risk factor for postpartum challenges. Whether you’ve experienced a traumatic birth or a loss, studies show that professional and peer support can substantially boost wellbeing.

Mapping out your circle of support

Step one: Draw your circle

On a blank piece of paper or in your journal, draw three concentric circles like a target.

In the centre, write ‘You’. In the middle circle, list your inner circle: people you trust deeply.

In the outer circle, add practical support: mindfulness, grounding techniques, services, online spaces, and local community groups.

Step two: Reflect gently

Ask yourself ‘where do I feel most supported?’.

What kind of support do I need the most - emotional, practical, financial, or informational?

Who can you bring closer? Who can provide emotional support? Who can you turn to for practical support? Who can you turn to for financial support?

Step three: Plan one small step

Support doesn’t have to be big or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s texting a friend or scheduling a GP appointment. What’s one small action can you take this week to feel more held?

Thursday: Breaking the silence: Financial stress and Maternal Mental Health

Financial stress is a reality for many families and its impact on maternal mental health can be profound. Uncertainty about finances, mounting bills, and the challenge of balancing work with caregiving can all contribute to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Yet, all too often, these struggles remain unspoken. It is recognised that there have been broad societal and financial impacts to our economy which is having a big impact on the cost of living and can be terribly hard for families.

By breaking the silence around financial stress, we empower expectant women and birthing people to seek support, share experiences, and learn effective coping strategies without shame or guilt. Recognising and addressing financial challenges is a critical step in nurturing mental well-being and fostering a supportive community.

The hidden burden

Financial stress and its effect: Many expectant mothers and new parents face the dual challenges of managing household finances while adjusting to the physical and emotional demands of motherhood. When financial pressures build up, they can lead to:

increased anxiety and depressive symptoms
strain on relationships and family dynamics
reduced access to essential healthcare and support services
a sense of isolation and stigma that prevents open discussion

The importance of open dialogue: Talking about financial concerns is not a sign of weakness- it’s a necessary step toward finding solutions and building resilience. Creating a safe space for discussion can help mothers:

share effective strategies for budgeting and resource management
connect with others facing similar challenges
access professional advice on financial planning and mental health care
realise they are not alone in their struggles

A call to action

We urge all families, community leaders and mental health professionals to join us in the important conversation. Let’s work together to break down the barriers that prevent honest discussion about financial stress and maternal mental health. By sharing our stories and offering support, we can create a network of care that benefits everyone.

Remember, you are not alone. Whether you’re a parent, birthing person, partner, or friend, your voice matters. Reach out, ask questions, and let’s build a future where financial challenges are met with understanding and proactive support.

Support

Community Shop

Company Shop Group is the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus products, taking perfectly good products that are destined for waste and selling them to members at discounted prices.

Community Grocery

The Community Grocery bridges the gap between food banks and supermarkets by supporting local residents with weekly food shops and wrap around services.

Friday: Perinatal Positivity Pot

"Spreading kindness, awareness, and support — one message at a time."

The perinatal period, which includes pregnancy and up to two years after birth, is often portrayed as a joyful time - but the reality is much more complex. While some people do feel happiness and connection, others may feel overwhelmed, low, anxious, irritable, or even emotionally numb. These are common and completely valid experiences during this major life transition.

Around 1 in 5 women and birthing people experience mental health difficulties during the perinatal period, and in the midst of sleepless nights, hormonal changes, identity shifts, and caring for a new life, it can feel hard to prioritise your own mental wellbeing.

What is a Perinatal Positivity Pot?

It’s a simple idea that encourages small, everyday acts of kindness toward yourself. Think of it as a jar of gentle reminders and ideas that can lift your mood, ground you in the moment, or help you feel more connected. The goal isn’t to fix how you’re feeling - but to honour it and offer yourself a little care in the process.

What to include in your positivity pot?

A calming affirmation: “I am doing my best. That is enough.”
A message from a loved one (you could ask a friend to write something kind for you to include).
A grounding activity: Touch something with texture (like a blanket), describe it to yourself slowly.
A photo or memory that reminds you of your strength or a joyful time.

Psychologically, when we are in distress, our mind often filters for threat and negativity - this is part of our survival system. A positivity pot offers a tangible way to interrupt those patterns by activating the soothing system in the brain. Over time, regularly accessing these supportive cues can gently rewire how we relate to ourselves during difficult moments.

Remember: You don’t need to feel positive all the time to benefit from small, nurturing moments. Each small act of self-kindness is a reminder that you matter, too.

Saturday: Information for Impact for Healthcare Professionals

As healthcare professionals, we are often drawn to helping others and likely receive fulfilment from doing so. Whilst we are often focused on our patient’s experiences of threat, we are rarely a stranger to stress and anxiety within our work lives. Working in healthcare means there might be times when we feel overwhelmed by the nature of the work. This can often mean uncomfortable emotions may come up during our working life that can sometimes (or often) overwhelm us. We are all human. Therefore, it’s important to ensure we’re bringing awareness to this and finding ways to support ourselves during our working lives.

Everyone, including healthcare professionals, has these three emotional systems. Our threat system is focused on making us feel uncomfortable emotions such as anger, fear, or anxiety by looking out for danger. Our drive system is focused on making us feel motivated or excited to pursue our goals. Finally, our soothe system is focused on making us feel content, safe and calm to help us rest and digest. These systems can become unbalanced, especially if we’re constantly exposed to threats. Take a moment to check in with yourself and explore the size of each of your systems currently.

Compassion fatigue

We may be noticing that it’s harder for us to feel or express compassion to patients due to feeling burnt out or exhausted. This is a natural way of protecting the limited resources we have to ensure we are able to look after ourselves. However, this can activate our threat system by causing us more frustration and also reduce our drive system by moving us away from working alongside our values.

Secondary traumatic stress

During our working lives we often hear stories of trauma from our patients. These stories can result in activating our own threat system, which can be incredibly debilitating.

What can help?

Reconnect to our values: Why do we want to work in healthcare? What about this is important to us? Write a list of your values and goals for reconnecting with them in your working life.
Express boundaries: Sometimes we can struggle to say no to working overtime or extra responsibilities, or we can even feel guilty. However, prioritising our own needs can often be important for our wellbeing.
Connect socially: This can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and also give our life meaning and purpose.
Taking regular breaks: Getting something to eat or going for a walk can often help us feel lighter, fuel our body and also help us refocus.
Mindfulness: This can involve closing down all your computer tabs and focusing on just one thing at a time. Connecting to the present moment through exercises such as rhythmic breathing can often help too.

Sunday: Reflect and rise

Difficult perinatal experiences are common, whether it's anxiety, low mood, postnatal depression, trauma, loss, or the countless challenges that come with parenthood - your experiences are real and valid. You are not alone in facing them.

Accessing support can help reduce the overwhelm we feel. Within Greater Manchester, services like PETALS and the Specialist Perinatal Service, as well as charities like Tommy’s and Dad Matters, are here to support you in your perinatal journey.

Whether you’re a mother, a partner, or a healthcare professional, reflection allows us to have that space to see just how resilient we’ve been. That’s when we can rise. Rising doesn’t mean having it all figured out - it means choosing hope, one step at a time. It’s letting go of shame and embracing compassion, for ourselves and for others.

This Maternal Mental Health Week let’s choose to rise together. Let’s continue to uplift each other, to normalise talking about mental health in the perinatal period, and to overcome our challenges.

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 | News and Events

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