The Duchess Becomes Patron of Maternal Mental Health Alliance

The Duchess of Cambridge has said "no mother is immune to experiencing anxiety and depression" in a video to mark her new role as patron of Maternal Mental Health Alliance and to mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. In the video, recently recorded at Kensington Palace, the Duchess said: "We all know that pregnancy, childbirth and the first months and years of a child's life can be hugely demanding. Parents often feel lonely and overwhelmed by these early years. Around 20% of women in the UK are reported to experience perinatal mental illness. Sadly, we also know that many more are suffering in silence."

The Duchess said families should not face difficulties "alone", adding, "The past couple of years have reminded us just how much we need each other, and how vital our relationships are to our long-term health and happiness. This starts in the earliest years of our lives, when we need close and continuous care from the people around us, to nurture our development, and ensure that we get the right start in life. We all know that pregnancy, childbirth and the first months and years of a child's life can be hugely demanding. Parents often feel lonely and overwhelmed by these early years."

On her new patronage, Kate said: "Much of this vital work has been led by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, a fantastic organization of which I am extremely proud to become patron of today. There is plenty more to be done. And it's down to each and every one of us to support parents and carers, and all those who are raising children today, because by ensuring that the next generation of children can thrive, we can help to build a stronger, healthier and more nurturing society which benefits us all."

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'Luciana Berger, chair of the MMHA which was founded in 2011, said the organisation is "honoured" Kate has become their patron.

She added: "The duchess's longstanding dedication to the early years and keen interest in mental health marry beautifully with the alliance's mission to ensure every mum, baby and family affected by perinatal mental health problems can access the right care and support necessary.

"We look forward to working with the duchess to make this goal a reality for all."'

Maternal mental health has been an area of interest for the Duchess for years and more recently featured in her research surrounding early years. In 2017, the Duchess attended the launch of maternal mental health films with Heads Together charity partner Best Beginnings at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London. Drawing on her own experiences as a mother, the Duchess admitted to a lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance as a mother. "It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together.  Your fundamental identity changes overnight.  You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost."

Also in 2017, Kate hosted a roundtable discussion on maternal mental health at Kensington Palace with the Royal Foundation. At the time a Palace spokesperson said: "The Duchess is keen to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding maternal mental health, and to learn what support is available. At least 20% of women are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. If left untreated, maternal mental health problems can have significant and long lasting effect on the woman and her family. The Duchess has spoken about the importance of having open conversations about maternal health, and the impact this can have on family."

The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) is a UK-wide charity and network of over 100 organizations dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal mental problems have access to high-quality comprehensive care and support. We bring the maternal mental health community together and make change happen by combining the power of real-life experience with clinical and professional expertise.

The organization recently published the results of a report researching the economic case for increasing access to treatment for women with common maternal mental health problems. Below a portion of the summary:

• Independent research commissioned by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) in 2021 and conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), estimates the costs and benefits of addressing unmet maternal mental health needs in the UK.
• LSE’s researchers found that changes in practice could have a net economic benefit of half a billion pounds over ten years; £52 million in NHS savings and quality of life improvements worth £437 million. Read more about the numbers.
• The proposed ‘integrated model of care’ would see mental health care for common mental health problems integrated into maternity and health visiting services. Learn more about the model.
• Additionally, the MMHA commissioned Centre for Mental Health to summarize the research and analyse its implications for policy and practice. In their report, ‘A sound investment’, the Centre concluded that an ‘integrated model of care’ is the logical and economical next step in the evolution of perinatal mental healthcare in the UK.

The Duchess wore the Max Mara Studio Zaza dress (with thanks to Middleton Maven). The printed crepe de chine dress features long sleeves and cuff-embellishment. The bodice and sleeves are decorated with hemstitch embroidery.

Kate accessorised with pearl earrings.