Maternal Psychological Wellbeing: A Challenge and a Unique Opportunity

👉 Register here for online participation

On 28 January 2026, Make Mothers Matter (MMM), in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Anna Freud, and the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) at LSE, will convene policymakers, health professionals, researchers, civil society and the media for a timely and solutions-focused event on maternal psychological wellbeing.

What mothers are telling us: the UK picture

Our landmark report, The State of Motherhood in Europe 2024, is based on a study conducted by Kantar and commissioned by MMM, of 9,600 mothers across 11 EU countries and the UK.

The findings reveal the pressures facing mothers in the UK:

• 71% of mothers in the UK report feeling overloaded (compared with 67% across the EU countries surveyed)
• 47% say they have experienced mental health issues, and
• 25% report suffering from depression, higher than the European average
• 31% say motherhood has negatively impacted their careers

These figures reflect structural challenges facing mothers in the UK: unequal caregiving responsibilities, lack of recognition of care work, stigma around mental health, and fragmented systems of support. They highlight an urgent need for change – and the consequences of inaction.

Integrating mental health into maternity care: a practical solution

A central focus of the event will be the launch of a new report from Anna Freud, which sets out a clear, evidence-based and stigma-free solution: integrating mental health detection and support directly into routine maternity and health visiting services.

This approach recognises that mental and physical health are inseparable – particularly during pregnancy and the early years of a child’s life. By embedding support from the very start of the motherhood journey, it enables early identification, timely intervention, and better outcomes for mothers, babies and families.

This model aligns with the World’s Health Organisation’s guidance and responds to what women and professionals have long been calling for: holistic maternity care that works in practice, not just in policy.

The economic case for early, integrated support

Research from CPEC at the LSE demonstrates that integrating perinatal mental health care into existing maternity services is cost-effective and delivers long-term societal benefits. Perinatal mental health problems are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth and are a leading cause of postnatal deaths in the UK. Yet they remain under-addressed within maternity care.

Early, integrated support reduces pressure on health and social services, improves long-term outcomes for children, and prevents costly intergenerational impacts.

A critical moment for reform in the UK

The UK is at a pivotal moment. The Government’s current review of maternity services presents a rare opportunity to deliver genuine transformation.

By committing to a holistic NHS maternity care model that integrates mental and physical health, the UK could become a global leader – fully responding to WHO guidance, robust research evidence, and the long-standing demands of women, families and professionals.

At a time of crisis in maternity services, integration offers a way forward: a system that is more sensitive, supportive, skilled and sustainable.

Bringing stakeholders together to drive change

This hybrid event will bring together senior policymakers, NHS and professional bodies, maternal and perinatal mental health organisations, researchers, foundations, media, influencers and voices with lived experience.

The event will open with contributions from Professor Alex Voorhoeve, LSE Vice President and Pro Vice Chancellor, followed by presentations from:

• Angela Garcia, Director of Projects at Make Mothers Matter, presenting the UK findings from The State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 Report
• Annette Bauer, Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC), LSE, presenting economic evidence on integrated perinatal mental health care
• Camilla Rosan, Anna Freud Centre, presenting the Centre’s new report on integrating mental health into maternity and health visiting services

The panel discussion will be moderated by Professor Alain Gregoire, consultant perinatal psychiatrist and founder of both the Global Alliance for Maternal Mental Health and the UK Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

Panelists include:

• Anna Whitehouse: Journalist, campaigner, influencer, mother and the founder of Mother Pukka
• Andy Bell, Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health
• Chrissy Brown, Founder and CEO of The Motivational Mums Club, health equity expert and advocate with lived experience
• Alison Morton, Chief Executive, Institute of Health Visiting

From evidence to action

For MMM, this event is about more than presenting data. It is about turning evidence into action.

By bringing together survey findings, lived experience, clinical expertise and economic research, we aim to:

• Raise awareness of the systemic drivers of poor maternal mental health
• Promote practical, evidence-based solutions
• Encourage concrete commitments to policy and service reform
• Strengthen collaboration across sectors
• Advance research and recognition of motherhood as a societal issue

The challenges facing mothers are real – but so is the opportunity to do better.

On 28 January 2026 at the LSE, we invite all those with the power to influence change to join us in shaping a maternity care system that truly supports mothers, babies and families.

👉 Register here for online participation