Follow the conference on X #PerinatalMH
“Psychiatric causes, including suicide and substance use, were the fourth leading cause of maternal death in 2021 to 2023, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death between 6 weeks and 1 year after the end of pregnancy (MBRRACE-UK, 2025). Emotional wellbeing and social circumstances can change rapidly during the perinatal period. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tokophobia may emerge or worsen at different stages of pregnancy and after birth”
NHS England March 2026
“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. 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”
Royal College of Psychiatrists, July 2025
“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”
Royal College of Psychiatrists, July 2025
This extended masterclass focuses on improving perinatal mental health services. By attending this one-day masterclass, you will hear presentations from expert speakers at local and national levels. We will highlight key policy developments at a national level and share learning from the most recent MBRRACE-UK Report, as well as the recent report from Anna Freud on how to integrate perinatal mental health support across services.
The conference will update delegates on Element 4 of the Maternal Care Bundle which was announced in March:
“Maternal mental health: Improving the identification and response to perinatal mental health concerns through the consistent use of NICE recommended screening tools and timely referral to appropriate specialist support”
NHS England 6th March 2026
“All NHS trusts providing maternity services and ICBs are responsible for fully implementing the MCB by March 2027. ‘Full implementation’ of the MCB means implementing all interventions for all 5 elements.”
NHS England 2026
You will benefit from sessions focusing on prevention and positive mental health, increasing access to treatment for women with common mental health problems during the perinatal period, the link between domestic abuse and perinatal mental health, practicalities of providing support for people with eating disorders in the perinatal period, and a case study on building secure attachments with the parent-infant mental health service. Throughout the day there will be opportunities to interact with facilitators and delegates.
This masterclass will enable you to:
Network with colleagues who are working to improve perinatal mental health services
Reflect on the lived experience
Explore national developments, learningand improvements
Understand the practical implications of the most recent national MBRRACE-UK enquiries and reports on maternal deaths
Ensure you are adhering to Element 4 of the National Maternal Care Bundle
Develop a model of service delivery in which mental and physical health care are integrated into the work of maternity and health visiting services
Reflect on national developments and learning
Improve the way you deliver positive mental health and wellbeing support
Reflect on developments at a maternal mental health pilot site
Develop your skills in identifying and supporting women experiencing mental health crisis
Learn from case studies, including supporting perinatal relationships and attachments
Understand the role of midwives in personalising care and promoting mental health wellbeing
Identify key strategies for supporting men whose wives or partners are suffering from postnatal depression• Develop effective care plans and support for women with previous mental health concerns
Improve support for women who have had traumatic births
Improve support for women with pre-existing mental health conditions such as eating disorders
Self-assess and reflect on your own practice
Support CPD professional development and act as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5 hours of training for CPD, subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes.
