New analysis reveals that up to 85,000 new mothers in England may have experienced postnatal depression in the past year, with the condition affecting nearly 15% of women who gave birth, prompting urgent warnings from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) about its potentially devastating consequences if left untreated.
Postnatal depression, a mental health condition that develops after childbirth, is far more prevalent than commonly recognized, according to RCPsych.
Unlike the transient “baby blues”—which typically resolve within two weeks with feelings of tearfulness or anxiety—postnatal depression involves persistent symptoms: prolonged sadness, low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, and in severe cases, distressing thoughts such as harming the baby.
Using 2024 Office for National Statistics data showing 567,708 live births in England, RCPsych estimates that between 10% and 15% of new mothers—translating to 56,000 to 85,000 women—were impacted. The college emphasizes that maternal suicide remains the leading cause of death among women from six weeks to one year postpartum.
Additionally, prenatal mental health issues (developing during pregnancy) can endanger unborn babies, increasing risks of premature birth or low birth weight.
Dr. Trudi Seneviratne, a consultant perinatal psychiatrist and immediate past RCPsych registrar, highlighted the profound life changes and heightened stress of pregnancy, which can strain mental health. “Postnatal depression is far more common than many realize, and untreated, it devastates mothers, babies, and families,” she warned.
Treatments include talking therapies and, in severe cases, antidepressants. Dr. Seneviratne stressed that healthcare providers are trained to prescribe safe medications for pregnant or breastfeeding women, noting that the risks of untreated depression far outweigh those of antidepressants.
“Medication saves lives,” she said, citing preventable deaths of mothers and babies due to unaddressed mental health issues as “truly devastating.”
RCPsych urges women and their partners to seek support promptly, emphasizing that these conditions are treatable. “For children to thrive, they need a strong start—and that depends on maternal well-being,” Dr. Seneviratne added. “Society has a role in ensuring families feel confident accessing help.”
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