November 2025 • PharmaTimes Magazine • 32-33
// MENTAL HEALTH //
Mum’s the word
Maternal mental health needs much more than just awareness
In recent years, mental health has rightly taken centre stage in public discourse. Campaigns, conversations and policy reforms have helped destigmatise mental illness and improve access to care.
Yet, within this growing awareness, one critical area remains persistently overlooked – maternal mental health.
For many women across England, the journey into motherhood is shadowed by mental illness such as postnatal depression (PND) and the consequences extend far beyond the individual. These are not isolated struggles. They affect families, communities and the overall well-being of our society.
In the UK, one in five women will experience a mental health issue during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth. That’s thousands of women each year facing immense emotional and psychological challenges during a period that should be defined by support, care and adjustment.
The cost of mental ill health in the UK is also now estimated at £300 billion annually – roughly double the NHS’s entire yearly budget. Without targeted action, maternal mental health will continue to be a silent contributor to this growing crisis.
The hidden toll
Among the many challenges new mothers may face, PND is one of the most common yet often misunderstood complications of pregnancy and the postnatal period.
It can begin in late pregnancy and persist for months, manifesting as persistent sadness, anxiety and exhaustion. In severe cases, it may include thoughts of self-harm or harm to the baby.
But the impact of PND doesn’t stop with the mother. It can disrupt the vital bonding process between mother and child, impair infant emotional and cognitive development and increase the risk of behavioural and learning difficulties later in life. Families may often experience strain and partners may feel helpless or unsupported, unsure how to be there for their loved one.
The scale of the issue is staggering. In 2024 alone, the Royal College of Psychiatrists estimated that up to 85,000 new mothers in England may have experienced PND. Even more alarmingly, suicide remains one of the leading causes of maternal death. This is an urgent reminder of how far we still have to go to protect mothers’ lives.
Barriers to recognition
Despite its prevalence and impact, PND is still inconsistently recognised and treated. Many women suffer in silence, fearing stigma, judgement or simply not recognising their symptoms.
This silence is further reflected in the structural gaps within our healthcare system. Healthcare professionals, often stretched thin, face challenges in identifying symptoms and providing appropriate support.
While specialist perinatal mental health services reached a record 57,000 mothers in 2023/2024, many are still managed in primary care settings where mental health may not be prioritised.
On top of this, nearly a fifth of women report only receiving some information on signs and symptoms to look out for ‘to an extent’ and 30% say their GP never discussed mental health during their care.
These figures reveal more than just a lack of resource. They reveal a deeper systemic issue. There is a clear shortfall in training for healthcare professionals and a lack of prioritisation when it comes to maternal mental health.
Together, these gaps continue to prevent our healthcare system from delivering the consistent, compassionate care that women deserve and need.
‘Every mother deserves to feel seen, heard and supported every day’
Building a system that cares
To truly support mothers, we must build resilient care pathways that are proactive, inclusive and well-resourced. Earlier this year, the NHS launched its 10-Year Health Plan and the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, aiming to shift care closer to communities and embrace digital innovation.
While policy positions like this mark a vital starting point, our efforts cannot end here. Consistent access to services is essential – without it, disparities and inequalities will persist.
Although these initiatives represent progress, they fall short in one crucial area. They fail to explicitly address maternal mental health. This gap is more than a missed opportunity. Without dedicated focus, we risk perpetuating a system that overlooks mothers during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.
Workforce shortages compound the issue. Burnout among midwives and health visitors is rising and the Royal College of Midwives has called for 350 additional specialist roles, a move that could save the NHS £8.1 billion annually. Investing in these roles is both the right thing to do and a practical way to improve outcomes for women while strengthening the healthcare system overall.
A shared responsibility
Bridging the gap between awareness and access to care for PND requires coordinated action. We must dismantle stigma, enhance frontline expertise and address structural gaps. With targeted investment and robust training, we can ensure every woman receives the care she needs during one of the most vulnerable periods of her life.
Government, the NHS, industry and communities must unite to put maternal mental health at the heart of healthcare reform. It must be integrated into broader strategies for women’s health, child development and social care. When mothers are supported, families and communities thrive.
As we look ahead, let’s build momentum to break the silence around maternal mental health. By listening to mothers, investing in meaningful solutions and shaping a system rooted in compassion, we can create lasting change. Every mother deserves to feel seen, heard and supported every day.
Dr Kylie Bromley is Vice President and Managing Director at Biogen UK and Ireland
PharmaTimes
PharmaTimes is the UK’s leading pharmaceutical magazine, tracking the trends and issues that affect the industry here in the UK, in Europe and across the world. We deliver independent, authoritative and trustworthy content through impartial, balanced and informed opinion and analysis.