Perinatal mental health challenges among migrant women

Becoming a parent brings profound physical and emotional change. For women with a migrant background, this transition can be especially demanding — on top of the adjustments every new parent faces, they often navigate unfamiliar healthcare systems, language barriers, and a lack of nearby family or community support.

These added pressures can heighten the risk of perinatal mental health conditions in the weeks and months after birth. Yet despite how common and serious these conditions are, they frequently go unrecognised and untreated — with lasting consequences for both women and their families. Raising awareness and building targeted, accessible support is essential to close this gap.