The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) was founded in 2011 by people with lived experience and organisations who understood the impact of perinatal mental problems and had a commitment to improving the lives of women and their families.
The first-ever meeting of what became known as the MMHA took place in March 2011.
In attendance were clinicians with an interest in perinatal mental health who had been working locally for many years, organisations passionate about women’s experiences, Dr Alain Gregoire (founding Chair and Consultant Clinical Perinatal Psychiatrist), and Emily Slater (founding Director, experienced campaigner, and survivor of postnatal depression).
The coming together of clinical expertise and lived experience formed the powerful and lasting foundations of the MMHA.
There was a flicker of hope that if enough organisations shared their limited resources and spoke with one voice, something could happen for the women and families who were suffering.
In the early days, attendance at Alliance meetings was organic, with people and organisations coming on-board through word of mouth. Everyone was, and continues to be, driven by a common desire to improve perinatal mental health care across the UK and end the unacceptable postcode lottery.
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