The Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned that thousands of women could not get vital help with their mental health during pregnancy or right after giving birth because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2020/21 47,000 were expected to access perinatal mental health services, but in the most recent data for the 2020 calendar year only 31,261 managed to get help with problems such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts in pregnancy and early motherhood.   

Doctors stress that lack of support for mental health problems during and after pregnancy can have serious consequences for parents, children and their families.

Of equal concern, the Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that the pandemic was not the sole reason the mental health of thousands of women was overlooked. Variation in care across the country due to lack of local investment in perinatal mental health services means that in many areas in England many pregnant women and new mums can’t get mental health support.  

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for funding for perinatal mental health facilities in the next spending review. This new investment will mean more women needing support can be treated, and that the mental health estate is fit for purpose, with suitable and welcoming spaces that can contribute to patients’ recovery.  

Psychiatrists are also calling on local health bosses in certain areas to address longstanding funding issues and put an end to the postcode lottery in maternal mental health.

Dr Trudi Seneviratne, Registrar of the Royal College of Psychiatrists who works in perinatal mental health, said: “Funding need is urgent. Many women can develop mental health problems for the first time during pregnancy and after birth, or are at risk of pre-existing illnesses made worse if they don’t get the right support in time.  

“Staff in perinatal mental healthcare have made every effort to support women in these extremely challenging times but services have been under unprecedented strain. Funding for mental health facilities is long overdue but is more urgent in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Gaps in local funding in certain areas in England should be urgently addressed so that the same standard of care is available to all women, no matter where they live.”