As many as one in five mums and one in ten fathers experience mental health concerns during pregnancy and after birth.

In some areas, they are able to access the support they need while in others, they can’t.

This could be due to a lack of services, funding, training or staff.

Between July and September 2020, 595 women in Hampshire accessed specialist community perinatal mental services.

This is likely to be the tip of the iceberg as many more women are suffering but do not reach the threshold for specialist support, or feel unable to seek help due to stigma.

To ensure new parents receive the help they need during this life-changing time, the NSPCC is urging people to sign up to its Fight for a Fair Start campaign.

The call comes as the UK marks Maternal Mental Health Week, led by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, between 3 and 9 May.

You can pledge your support by signing up at www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/campaigns/fight-for-a-fair-start.

The pandemic has added even more pressure on families due to the anxiety and social isolation it has created.

Now more than ever it is vital no parent or baby is left behind and the services they need are there to support them – regardless of where they live.

Please help by lending your support to this important campaign so we can all give new mums and dads a voice and make them heard.

Margaret Gallagher

NSPCC Head of Local Campaigns