Maternal mental health should be everyone’s business

Up to one in five mothers may develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth. Perinatal depression, anxiety and psychosis carry a total long-term cost to society of approximately £8.1 billion. This figure is equivalent to about £10,000 for every single birth in the UK. But the estimated cost of better recognition and treatment is only about £400 per average birth. Clinical Commissioning Groups in England should implement a clear strategy for commissioning perinatal mental health services.