Every baby deserves a loving, safe, and mentally healthy start in life. Nevertheless, get as many as 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men [1] dealing with perinatal mental health problems during pregnancy or in their child's first year. This includes depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses — often under-detected, even more untreated. Precisely because these problems stay under the radar too often, they often carry their tracks. from generation to generation.
Perinatal mental health problems increase it risk of complications such as premature birth, postpartum bleeding, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and relationship problems, as well as behavioral, developmental and mental disorders in children [2]. In Belgium, 22% of women who die during the perinatal period also have a mental health problem linked to the cause of death.
These medical and social complications don't just mean immense personal suffering. The social cost The lack of action is sky-high: Belgium loses an estimated 1.5 billion euros annually from the consequences of untreated perinatal mental health problems — through increased health care spending, work absenteeism and youth assistance.
At the same time, the affordable and cost-effective solution: all necessary evidence-based measures together require an investment of only 56 million euros[2] per year. Every euro invested in this crucial period provides up to 27 euros in social profit. A policy that invests in the first 1,000 days today not only provides the largest economic return on investment, but also lays the foundations for a future free of poverty, school dropout and juvenile delinquency.
The Belgian Alliance for Perinatal Mental Health (BAPMH) calls on healthcare and welfare organizations to endorse this manifesto. Together, we can enforce political action and structural funding. Because failure to take action in this regard costs lives and billions of euros.
[1] Howard L. & Khalifeh H. (2020). Perinatal mental health: a review of progress of progress and challenges World Psychiatry, 19:313-327.
[2] This amount is based on an estimation from the United Kingdom made by Dr. Alain Gregoir using https://global-economic-calculator.herokuapp.com/
Set up an interfederal action committee with the task and mandate to implement an ambitious national plan that connects prevention, care, and well-being. Such a policy also requires correct funding: resources and remuneration must be commensurate with the assignment and the plan. We advocate for a structurally based budget that makes policy ambitions realistic and sustainable. A forward-looking policy also invests in a healthy and safe living environment where our babies can grow up and develop optimally — with the climate goals as an explicit priority.
Every (wish) parent[1] a baby deserves accessible, quality and cultural and trauma-sensitive care. This, regardless of region, language or background. In doing so, we pay particular attention to families in vulnerable situations and are equally committed to prevention, early support and treatment.
Parents who need mental care - adapted to their changing needs - should have access to affordable, quality and targeted help without waiting time. A high-performance perinatal mental care chain relies on integrated care with a clear and up-to-date social map that quickly shows parents and referrers the right path in the complex landscape of care and well-being. This requires smooth coordination, flow and continuity — without barriers or barriers, and always from the perspective of parents and babies.
Introduce systematic screening of psychosocial problems, preconceptionally, during pregnancy, after pregnancy loss and the first year of life.
Knowledge of perinatal mental health should be a mandatory component in the basic training courses of doctors, midwives, psychologists, social workers and other involved professional groups. However, that alone is not enough. There must also be room for deepening and specialization in continuing education, so that professionals recognize risks in time, act effectively and work together in an interdisciplinary way with knowledge of the facts. Quality care starts with expertise.
Emotional and practical support in the perinatal period, including in case of pregnancy loss, is the most powerful buffer against mental problems among parents. Structural support for maternity and family care, parent groups, peer support and community building offers them resilience, breaks isolation and prevents early symptoms from escalating.
Give both parents access to one year of paid parental leave and also allow grandparents to take care leave without negative long-term financial consequences.
Safe, warm and reliable childcare offers young children stability and development opportunities, and gives parents the space to recharge, resume work or seek help. Quality childcare requires structural investments in training, reducing workload and fair remuneration for every professional in the sector. Those who care for the little ones deserve social recognition and respect in pay and policy.
Strong policy requires strong knowledge. Strengthen coordinated scientific research into perinatal mental health and ensure structural monitoring and data collection across Belgium.
Encourage a broad and nuanced social debate about protecting unborn children in the context of perinatal mental health problems. This debate should include both the ethical and legal dimensions and aim for a balanced approach that protects the unborn child while ensuring parents' autonomy and opportunities.
[1] By “parent (s)”, we refer to all forms of (wish) parenting and care, regardless of gender, family form or biological relationship.
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