West Yorkshire Maternal Mental Health Service joins Parliament event for Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK

Three colleagues attended a landmark event at the Houses of Parliament on 23 September to mark Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK. Organised by The Motherhood Group, the event brings together Black mothers, clinicians, and policymakers to share lived experiences and clinical insights, with a focus on shaping policy and improving outcomes in maternal healthcare. 

Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK is dedicated to raising awareness of the disparities faced by Black women during pregnancy and the postnatal period. The campaign seeks to promote education, advocacy, and meaningful change in maternity and perinatal mental health services. 

Rebecca Thomas, Lead Specialist Midwife and Dr Estelle Verdi, Principal Counselling Psychologist and Service Lead for Paths, the West Yorkshire Maternal Mental Health Service attended the event. Joining them was Julia Mills, Perinatal Mental Health Inclusion Worker at South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust.  Photograph from left to right includes: Julia Mills, Rebeca Thomas and Dr Estelle Verdi. 

Dr Estelle Verdi said: ‘It was deeply moving to witness both the strength and vulnerability in the stories shared in Parliament for Black Maternal Mental Health Week — bringing into view the often-hidden experiences of Black mothers. I was grateful to be there with my  colleagues, committed to learning and leading together."

The Paths service recently co-produced an Inclusion Toolkit and Black mothers contributed their lived experience. Their insight has been invaluable in highlighting the importance of recognising family values and cultural traditions within the perinatal period.

Paths remains dedicated to providing compassionate, accessible, and equitable care, working in partnership with communities aiming to ensure that all women and birthing people receive the support they need in relation to birth trauma, baby loss including those at risk of removal due to safeguarding procedures and severe fear of birth. For more information visit the Paths website