New and expectant mothers are at risk of postnatal depression and other mental illnesses from conception to a year after birth, which could be prevented or treated with the right support.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is raising awareness of the benefits of perinatal mental health care, including talking therapies and antidepressants which are proven to help people recover from anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
RCPsych estimates that between 56,000 and 85,000 mothers (10-15% of those who gave birth) across England may have experienced postnatal depression last year (2024).1,2
Maternal suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among women between six weeks and a year after birth. Perinatal mental illness can significantly impact women’s health and accounts for 34% of all deaths in this group during this period.3
Untreated prenatal mental illness also affects unborn infants, potentially putting them at risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Parents may find it difficult to bond with their baby once they are born and this can contribute to attachment issues.
Mothers and
their partners must not be left to suffer in silence and should instead be
supported to seek help from those around them as well as perinatal mental
health services when necessary. These conditions are eminently treatable, and
an approach that takes into account a person’s biological needs, psychological
state and social situation is most effective.
Dr Trudi Seneviratne OBE, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and immediate past RCPsych Registrar, said:
“Women can experience an enormous amount of change, including increased stress factors when they become pregnant, and this may negatively affect their mental health. Postnatal depression is far more common than many people realise and can have a devastating impact on mothers, babies and families if left untreated.
“Mothers who receive talking therapy and other forms of care from mental health services will often be able to recover, but some might be so unwell that they need medication, including antidepressants. Medication helps save lives. The dangers of untreated depression far outweigh the risks of antidepressants. The unnecessary deaths of mothers and sometimes their babies that result from failure to treat these conditions are truly devastating.
“Doctors are trained to ensure that the medication they prescribe is as safe as possible to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Medication should be reviewed regularly, and any side effects closely monitored.
“For children to thrive, they need as good a start in life as possible, and this is important not only for the child and their mother but also communities and society as well. We all have a role to play in ensuring mothers and their partners feel confident seeking support when they need it.”
We would advise all those thinking of stopping their antidepressants to talk to their doctor first, as these medications should not be stopped abruptly. The RCPsych has produced a resource for anyone who wants more information about stopping antidepressants.
Footnotes
- Postnatal depression is estimated to affect between 10% and 15% of mothers -
- The Office for National Statistics states that 567,708 live births were recorded in England in 2024 - . The 网曝黑料 therefore estimates that up to 85,000 mothers could have been affected by postnatal depression in 2024.
- RCPsych has produced a resource which provides mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding with information about antidepressants - Antidepressants.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter:
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896