Ickle Pickles joins Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is taking place from Monday 5 to Sunday 11 May 2025, with World Maternal Mental Health Day on Wednesday 7 May.

What is it?

A national week-long campaign dedicated to talking about mental health problems before, during, and after pregnancy. It is organised and created by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership and is dedicated to talking about mental illness while pregnant or after having a baby. The Perinatal Mental Health Partnership are committed to signposting to support for all parents and families and focuses on advocating for those affected by Maternal Mental Health, to access the information and help they require to enable recovery.  

What is this year’s theme? 

This year’s Awareness Week’s theme is ' Your Voice, Your Strength’.

Together with other organisations, we will be focusing on advocating for all families affected by Perinatal Mental Illness to access the information and help they require to enable recovery. 

A survey by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership this year overwhelmingly showed how women do not feel listened to with regard to their mental health in parenthood. This year's theme has been created to help drive a change. Ickle Pickles are joining this campaign to highlight the power of women knowing it is okay to express their needs, feelings, and experiences related to their mental well-being and that their experience, be it pregnancy, birth or parenthood, matters. 

It is about connecting communities,  virtual and real-life support, and focusing on working together for all families at what is, for many, a difficult time. 

Let’s support all parents and families and focus on advocating for those affected by Perinatal Mental Health, to access the information and help they require to enable recovery.

Let's discuss maternal mental health. It's an important aspect of overall well-being for new and expecting mothers, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress can significantly impact a mother's ability to care for herself and her child. Addressing these issues through support systems, therapy, and healthcare interventions is crucial for the health and happiness of both mothers and their families.

We want to ensure that parents feel well informed and supported when anxieties are heightened.

Each day of the Awareness Week will have its own unique theme, as detailed below:  

Monday 5th May - Conversations That Matter- Let's Talk About Maternal Mental Health.

Tuesday 6th May - Walking With You As You Find Your Voice. 

Wednesday 7th May - World Maternal Mental Health Day.

Thursday 8th May - Breaking The Silence - Financial Stress and Maternal Mental Health.

Friday 9th May - Perinatal Positivity Pot - Shining a light on parental voices and recovery.

Saturday 10th May - Information for Impact for Health Care Professionals. 

Sunday 11th May - Reflect and Rise. 

Resources you may find helpful    

• GP Appointment checklist to support the disclosure of symptoms https://smilegroup.org.uk/resources/ 

• Postpartum Psychosis resources - https://www.app-network.org/what-is-pp/app-guides/

• Perinatal resources - https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/your-faculties/perinatal-psychiatry/news-and-resources/building-capacity-in-perinatal-bursary-project (resources for the public) 

• A directory of maternal mental health support services during Covid, with an overview of the illness, symptoms and resources from Eve Canavan (https://smalltimemum1.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/support-when-mums-need-it-most-perinatal-mental-health-support-during-covid-19-and-beyond/ 

• The Hearts and Minds Partnerships interactive map of perinatal mental health services across the UK https://heartsandmindspartnership.org/map   

• Postpartum Support International- Directory of providers and support https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/locations/  

What can you do to get involved? 

Take a look at www.perinatalmentalhealthpartnership.com and use the #maternalmhmatters and #yourvoiceyourstrength hashtags on social media when referring to the week, tagging both @icklepicklescharity and @perinatalmhpartnership.

If you are a parent navigating the complexities of neonatal care, consider reaching out to your local peer support network. Feel free to engage with us at Ickle Pickles and connect with others who understand your emotions and challenges.

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