Becoming a mother can be lovely but is sometimes lonely: LET’S CONNECT campaign launched to mark World Maternal Mental Health Day
To combat loneliness, let’s make connections with new mothers in our communities
World Maternal Mental Health Day (7th May) is an international campaign dedicated to talking about mental health problems during and up to one year after pregnancy. It’s all about raising public and professional awareness of maternal mental health difficulties, advocating for women affected, changing attitudes, and empowering women and families by helping them to access the information, care, and support they need to keep well and to recover.
Recent research by the RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences, in collaboration with Minding Me, the Perinatal Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Working Group in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow, revealed that 77% of respondents experienced feelings of loneliness sometimes, often or always in the three months preceding the study.
The LET’S CONNECT campaign aims to encourage people to Talk, Connect and Empower.
- Talk: To encourage conversations about maternal mental health and the loneliness that can be experienced after having a baby, and in the process, reduce stigma.
- Connect: To make connections with new mothers in our communities to create a supportive community and help combat loneliness.
- Empower: To empower women to look after their mental health in pregnancy and beyond, by connecting women and families with the information, care, and support they need.
The LET’S CONNECT campaign highlights:
- Becoming a mother can be lovely but sometimes lonely — Up to 77% of mothers say they experience loneliness at some point.
- Let’s Connect — we all have a role in supporting new mothers and in helping combat loneliness. Let’s make connections with new mothers in our communities.
- Help is available — there are supports and services that can help. Visit www.themotherhoodprogramme.ie for more information.
There is a range of activities taking place within the community in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow on World Maternal Mental Health Day for the LET’S CONNECT campaign including;
- 6,000 ribbon cards will be distributed through public health nursing services, maternity hospitals, mother and baby groups, breastfeeding groups, yoga/baby massage classes, and community partners. These cards will be given to women attending those services. Each card includes two orange ribbons—one to tie to a buggy if a mother wishes to connect with others, and one to offer to another mother, creating an opportunity for connection.
- 5,000 postcards containing campaign information will be distributed to the public, encouraging recipients to take a photo of the card and share it on social media to help raise awareness. Each postcard includes signposting to available resources.
- Posters featuring key campaign messages and signposting will be displayed in primary care locations, mother and baby groups, and through all community partners.
- Community partners throughout the region will host events for women on 7th May where resources will be available. Additionally, several cafes popular with mothers and babies will participate by stocking campaign materials.
Niamh Crudden, Co-Chair for the Perinatal Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Working Group in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow said, “Maternal mental health is everybody’s business, and we want to provide connection, comfort and support to those who are living with maternal mental health difficulties. We want as many people as possible to know about maternal mental health and the availability of supports and services.
Through this campaign, thousands of Let’s Connect ribbon cards will be distributed to maternity hospitals, local groups that work with mothers and young families and family resource centres. The card represents connection and we are encouraging those in the community, including new mothers, to reach out to one another. The cards outline the difficulties that new mothers can experience and also where they can get information to support them in the first year after giving birth. There are two orange ribbons on the card and the ribbons represent that you are open to connecting and having a conversation and breaking down those barriers around isolation from others in the community. We want new mothers to know that they are doing a great job, let people know if they are feeling lonely, reach out, make connections.”
Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer for HSE Dublin and Midlands said, “I am delighted to give my support to the ‘Let’s Connect’ campaign which aims to empower and support women to look after their mental health and wellbeing. This campaign is about raising awareness of mental health challenges during pregnancy and the year after birth - something that affects 1 in 5 women. It’s about talking openly, reducing stigma, and supporting women and families to get the care they need.
This year’s campaign reminds us that while motherhood brings joy, it can also be tough—and that support, connection, and community make all the difference. Over the coming weeks, the campaign will encourage conversations, connections, and action through simple gestures like sharing a ribbon card or directing someone to www.themotherhoodprogramme.ie for support. Thank you for being part of this important conversation.”
Dr. Sabrina Coyle, Senior Clinical Psychologist in Specialist Perinatal Mental Health at The Coombe Hospital said, “The LET’S CONNECT campaign sheds a light on the experiences of mothers in the first year after giving birth. The working group collaborated with Dr Roisin O Donavan and the RCSI in 2024, in research which outlined many challenges women faced in the perinatal period, and one stand out experience was the experience of loneliness. 77% of women reported feelings of loneliness and isolation. Often motherhood is painted as a picture-perfect time, and whilst it can be wonderful, filled with love and joy, it also presents its challenges. And that’s ok, the transition to motherhood and the experiences and feelings that accompany this, are individual and varied. We must acknowledge and support this distinct period in a woman and families life.”
RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences, in collaboration with Minding Me, the Perinatal Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Working Group in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow launched www.themotherhoodprogramme.ie last year, a resource dedicated to fostering the well-being of expectant and new mothers, addressing the unique challenges they face during pregnancy and early motherhood. The programme has a focus on promoting mental wellness by providing a range of resources, support services, and educational materials tailored to the needs of mothers and their families. It includes stories of women across Ireland as well as some tools and techniques to support wellbeing in areas including stress management, relationships, and sleep.
Key features of the Motherhood Programme include:
- Online resources and information on maternal mental health and wellbeing
- The Motherhood Podcast series sharing results from research conducted in Ireland and stories from women across Ireland
- Resources and exercises on coping strategies and self-care techniques to support wellbeing during motherhood
