Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) improve postpartum mental health support, and (2) reduce the maternal suicide rate.

We recognise how important it is for women with perinatal mental health problems to get the right care and support they need. Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services, including mother and baby units, specialist perinatal community teams, and Maternal Mental Health Services, are available for women with or at risk of mental health conditions for up to two years after giving birth. This care includes increased access to evidence-based psychological therapies.

We have committed to tackling suicide as one the biggest killers in this country, and delivering the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, which aims to reduce suicide rates and address the risk factors contributing to suicide, as well as improving support for those who have self-harmed or are bereaved by suicide. The strategy highlights the need to provide tailored, targeted support to priority groups, including those at higher risk. At a national level, this includes pregnant women and new mothers. This is supported by new Staying Safe from Suicide Guidance, published in April 2025, which means all mental health practitioners must align their practice to the latest evidence in understanding and managing suicide. An accompanying e-learning package is now available to all National Health Service and non-NHS staff.

In addition, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Alliance, managed by the Department, NHS England, and UK Health Security Agency, has sponsored a project being led by the Tommy’s and Sands Maternity Consortium, which explores experiences of perinatal suicide, self-harm, and their risk factors.