health
February 2, 2026
Support new mothers with mental ill health
Perinatal mental illness is eminently treatable, and women and their partners should not suffer in silence, says Dr Livia Martucci
TL;DR
- Perinatal mental illness is treatable and preventable.
- Up to 85,000 new mothers in England experienced postnatal depression last year.
- Maternal suicide is a leading cause of death for women between six weeks and one year after birth.
- Perinatal mental illness accounts for 34% of deaths in this group.
- Untreated perinatal mental illness can affect unborn infants, potentially causing premature birth and low birth weight.
- Parents may experience difficulty bonding with their baby, leading to attachment issues.
- Mothers and partners should seek help and not suffer in silence.
- A biopsychosocial approach is most effective for treatment.
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