With around 20% of new mothers in the UK being affected by mental health difficulties, we understand how important prioritising mental health and wellbeing can be throughout pregnancy and beyond. Having a baby is a pivotal life experience for many, leading to changes in relationships, routines and identity
Getting support might not always feel so straightforward for new mums for a variety of reasons. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), “Mental health problems during the perinatal period can frequently go unrecognised and untreated, with some women not seeking help because of fear of stigma, or fear of intervention by social services.”
We are dedicated to creating therapeutic content in support of maternal mental health, in line with the NHS Core20PLUS5 approach. Our maternal mental health collection on Qwell showcases some of our work.
What is the maternal mental health collection?
The collection is a carefully curated selection of personal perspective articles, activities, and videos to help new mums prioritise their mental wellbeing.
To create the collection, we collaborated with mums of varying ages and from different backgrounds and cultures. Our aim was to create content that was inclusive, varied, and that validated real experiences, while being rooted in mental health and wellbeing. We worked alongside especially vulnerable groups including:
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Teen and young mums under 25
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Mums who have experienced mental health difficulties during and after pregnancy
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Black mothers (with a focus on Black maternal health)
Lived experience is at the forefront of this collection, giving other mothers a safe space to share, support, and empower others. Our video interviews with a Black mother about her experiences validated the stories of so many, highlighting current ethnic inequalities in maternal healthcare, while sharing advice and empowering other Black mothers.
In addition, all our writers and co-collaborators for this collection are mothers and people with professional or clinical expertise in both working with parents and children. For quality and authenticity, we consulted with mothers throughout the collection creation process.
We created a selection of articles, activities, and videos that validated the experiences of new mums, giving both personal and clinical perspectives, and also sharing some new and unique ways to cope.
To view this content, go here