Maternal Mental Health Matters
Join the Movement for Change
Why This Matters
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Every woman deserves safe, respectful, and culturally appropriate mental health support during pregnancy and beyond. Yet women from Black and other ethnically minoritised communities face systemic barriers that leave many without the care they need.
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In 2023–2024, just 1,142 out of 57,170 women receiving support were from Black or other ethnically minoritised backgrounds.
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Long waiting lists worsen outcomes, especially for women already neglected by the system.
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Our research with over 600 diverse women and families shows postnatal checks often fail to identify trauma, leaving conditions undiagnosed and women masking their poor mental health for years.
This is not just a gap in care, it’s a crisis we cannot ignore.
What We’ve Learned
Through the haPPIE SHE Cares project, women have told us:
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Postnatal appointments are too brief to build trust.
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Many women choose not to disclose trauma or ongoing health issues for fear of being misunderstood.
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Repeated requests to “share their stories” without proper mental health support leave women retraumatised and disengaged from services.
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Community leaders are stepping in to fill the gap, but without formal training or support, many experience burnout.
Our Response
haPPIE SHE Cares is creating a new, culturally sensitive approach to perinatal mental health by:
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Building trusted pathways between community leaders, NHS teams, and digital mental health services.
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Offering safe, trauma-informed spaces for women to be heard and supported.
Developing practical resources to empower families and reduce strain on healthcare services.
Our Offer of Support
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We know from the results of our haPPIE SHE Cares project that reports like this, while essential, can be emotionally triggering. For many women, especially those still recovering from difficult or traumatic maternity experiences reading this kind of data can heighten anxiety and activate the body’s stress response.
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That’s why we’re creating safe online spaces where women can simply talk, listen, and breathe.
There’s no pressure, no expectations, and no medical advice, just calm, respectful conversation with others who understand. Whether you're looking for solidarity, quiet reflection, or simply someone to say, “That happened to me too,” you're welcome here.
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You don’t have to do this alone.
Please feel free to join us, or forward this to someone you know who might benefit.
We’re finalising our first series of maternal mental health support sessions in response to the 2025 report.
Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when dates go live:
You’ll receive updates about session dates, access details, and wellbeing resources straight to your inbox.
How You Can Be Part of the Change
Why Now
Many of us have shined a light on the urgent need for equity in perinatal mental health. By acting together, we can ensure every woman feels safe, supported, and empowered during the most critical moments of her life.
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This isn’t just about awareness….. it’s about action.