10:40, 07 May 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
As we shine a light on the mental health needs of new and expectant parents during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, it's crucial to acknowledge the vital work being done by organisations like the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA).
This year, they have launched a helpful resource: the Perinatal Mental Health Symptom Checker in addition to their newly designed information centre complete with videos and blog posts to help those suffering with their perinatal mental health.
Designed to empower parents, and those around them, both resources are an important tool in recognising the early signs of perinatal mental illness, both common and lesser-known conditions.
The importance of recognising perinatal mental illness cannot be overstated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), postpartum psychosis, and eating disorders often go unnoticed or misunderstood during the perinatal period. By raising awareness, we can ensure that more parents get the support they need.
The symptom checker has been developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including women who have experienced mental health challenges during the perinatal period, clinicians across the perinatal pathway, and trauma experts. This collaborative approach has ensured that the tool reflects a broad spectrum of experiences, providing accurate and accessible information for those who need it most.
The Perinatal Mental Health Symptom Checker is designed to help parents and those around them spot early signs of mental health conditions during and after pregnancy. These conditions can range from the more commonly recognised, like postnatal depression and anxiety, to lesser-known conditions such as intrusive thoughts and postpartum psychosis. Understanding the symptoms of perinatal mental health challenges can be life-changing for many families, offering a pathway to early intervention and support.
The tool breaks down these symptoms into easily understandable categories, offering guidance for all types of families on how to recognise the signs of mental illness.
Importantly, it also offers advice on what to do next, connecting users with resources and services that can provide the support they need.
As part of their ongoing commitment to maternal mental health, the MMHA has also launched a comprehensive Information Centre. This initiative comes after a successful Big Give campaign in late 2024, which funded the creation of essential parent-facing information. The Information Centre covers topics including:
And more.
This resource is available now, and parents can access the information, videos, and support here.
Awareness is the first step in creating lasting change. By using the symptom checker and engaging with the MMHA's Information Centre, mothers and parents can take proactive steps in managing their mental health during one of the most challenging and transformative periods of their lives.
This initiative also plays a crucial role in breaking the silence around perinatal mental health issues, which too often remain underrepresented and misunderstood.
As Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week continues, it’s important to remember that mental health challenges during and after pregnancy are not something parents should face alone. The MMHA provides invaluable support and resources, helping parents feel understood and equipped to seek the help they deserve.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Maternal Mental Health Alliance. This charity is at the forefront of advocating for better mental health support for new and expectant parents. They work to raise awareness of perinatal mental health issues and provide resources. Find out more.
Mind. This is a well-established mental health charity that offers support to anyone experiencing mental health issues, including those during the perinatal period. They provide resources on mental health during pregnancy, postnatal depression, and how to seek help. Learn more here.
PANDAS Foundation. This charity is dedicated to supporting families affected by perinatal mental illness. They offer information, peer support groups, and a helpline for new and expectant parents dealing with mental health challenges such as postpartum depression and anxiety. Support them here.
