Perinatal mental health issues refer to emotional and psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and up to a year following the birth of a child. There is also evidence that parents can suffer from perinatal mental illness for up to three years after the birth of their child. According to NHS England perinatal mental illness affects up to 20% of new and expectant mums in the UK.
Becoming a new parent is supposed to be one of life’s great joys. We’re told it should be a happy time where new parents feel nothing but love for their babies. But that isn’t always the case. Becoming a parent can also be scary, terrifying, and sad. This is especially true now, with so much of the new parent experience altered by COVID-19.
Benenden Health has partnered with parenting community Netmums and perinatal mental health charity PANDAS to carry out research exploring perinatal mental health. We have also provided help and advice on this page to support those who think they may be suffering from poor perinatal mental health.