- 1 in 5 new and expectant mothers experience depression
- 1 in 3 mothers supported by MumsAid counselling recover from depression
- 76% experience significant improvement in their depression
- £10,000 annual economic value on average per mother supported
A new report from Pro Bono Economics (PBE), Pregnant then blue? The value of MumsAid counselling for new and expectant mothers, highlights that one in three mothers recover from depression through counselling, equating to an estimated £10,000 in economic value over a year for each mother supported.
Up to one in five new and expectant mothers experience depression, yet many are left without help. Half of these women go undiagnosed, with women from minority ethnic backgrounds most likely to be overlooked. Long waits for talking therapy and a lack of tailored support leave thousands struggling alone.
The cost of inaction is immense. Untreated depression can persist for years, harming mothers’ quality of life. For children, the impact can last a lifetime, leading to developmental and emotional challenges that persist through school and beyond.
MumsAid’s specialist counselling programme helps mothers recover from depression, boosting confidence and strengthening bonds with their babies. 76% of mums supported by MumsAid counselling services showed a significant improvement in their measured depression (‘reliable improvement’, in terms used by the NHS). And PBE estimates that 1 in 3 mothers in the MumsAid programme reliably recover from depression, sustained over a year after counselling. The report shows that this recovery could have an economic value of over £10,000 annually for every mother supported.
The analysis highlights that MumsAid’s work is highly cost-effective and delivers value for money. The cost of the MumsAid counselling programme is £420,000 and the total benefits of recovery are worth £3million. Even if just one in seven mothers’ recovery can be attributed to the programme, the economic benefits outweigh its costs.
Yet this is only part of the story. The report notes that these figures do not capture broader benefits, such as long-term gains for children or reduced strain on healthcare services. The true value of counselling services like MumsAid is likely far greater.
Policymakers are encouraged to consider the MumsAid model as a blueprint for addressing maternal mental health challenges and shaping future support initiatives.
Dr Miriam Donaghy, Founder and CEO of MumsAid, said:
“All new and expectant mothers and their babies deserve the best start in life.
“This report confirms the life-changing impact of our work. Mothers in need can’t wait. Supporting them through specialist counselling benefits not just families but society as a whole.”
Rachel Gomez, Senior Economist at Pro Bono Economics, said:
“The results of the analysis in this report are necessarily cautiously expressed; nonetheless, Helen Hughson’s research paints a compelling picture of a successful and important programme.
“By helping mothers who might otherwise not receive the assistance they need, MumsAid’s counselling programme plays a critical role in supporting mothers and children, with benefits which are likely to spread wider and endure far longer than is shown in this report. At a time when depression and other mental health issues are a too-common challenge for mothers in the UK, policymakers should look to successful programmes like this to help shape future plans for support.”