Kylie Bromley
Vice President and General Manager Biogen UK and Ireland
Maternal mental health care in the UK is in crisis, and the evidence is now impossible to ignore.
Mental health problems, including suicide, remain the leading cause of late maternal deaths in the UK, occurring between six weeks and one year after birth. The latest MBRRACE‑UK findings underscore the scale of the issue, showing that the consequences extend far beyond the mother herself, impacting children, partners and entire communities.
Silent struggle of postnatal depression (PND)
More than one in ten women experience PND within a year of giving birth, yet many continue to struggle alone. And while the UK has strong policies on paper and a broad network of perinatal services, the lived reality for many women is one of diminishing support. Funding pressures, staff shortages and reductions in specialist training are eroding progress that once seemed within reach.
Access to care remains one of the most significant fault lines. Even where services exist, women report they simply “don’t know where the front door is.” Outdated, unclear or inconsistent information leaves too many without a viable route to help. Meanwhile, myths about “baby blues” and persistent stigma continue to obscure early signs of more severe mental health challenges.
Inequities in care among minority communities
For women from ethnic minority backgrounds, these barriers are even more pronounced. Research shows that Black and Asian women face poorer access to community perinatal mental health services and are more likely to be involuntarily admitted for severe illness, reflecting deeper structural inequities within the system.
They also experience disproportionate maternal mortality risks: women from Black African and African‑Caribbean backgrounds are nearly five times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than their White counterparts. These disparities are compounded by stigma, racial discrimination, cultural barriers and a lack of culturally competent care, leaving many women feeling unheard or dismissed when they do seek support.
myths about “baby blues” and persistent stigma continue to obscure
early signs of more severe mental health challenges
Yet despite the scale of the problem, the solutions are increasingly clear. Other countries are already demonstrating how digital and telehealth models can widen access to assessments, education and specialist referrals, helping to offset workforce shortages and lengthy waits. These innovations provide a roadmap for the UK as it looks to rebuild maternal mental health provision over the next decade.
Coordinated national effort needed to make an impact
Meaningful change now demands a coordinated national effort, one that embeds routine mental health screening throughout pregnancy and the first postnatal year, ensuring early and equitable identification of women at risk. It also requires sustained investment in specialist perinatal mental health teams across all Integrated Care Systems, alongside a renewed commitment to training and retaining the workforce that underpins them.
Crucially, the UK must confront the stark inequities revealed by MBRRACE‑UK and other data. Tackling these injustices means prioritising culturally competent care, engaging directly with communities and targeting funding where need is highest.
Finally, a national maternal mental health outcomes framework tracking service availability, time‑to‑care and disparities would bring the transparency and accountability needed to translate policy ambition into measurable progress.
The UK stands on the brink of meaningful change. The evidence is clear, the need is urgent and the solutions are within reach. What is required now is sustained political will — and a collective commitment to ensuring that every mother receives compassionate, timely and equitable mental health support.
