RCM joins parliamentary roundtable on World Maternal Mental Health Day
on 01 May 2019 Maternal Mental health Perinatal Mental Health Maternity Leave
Today on World Maternal Mental Health Day the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will join a roundtable discussion in Parliament that will examine the importance of supporting women’s mental health, pregnancy in the workplace, maternity leave and shared parental leave.
The roundtable will focus on; improving health and safety at work for pregnant women and improving conditions for breastfeeding women, better redundancy protection for mothers and how working parents can manage the balance between work and family life in the UK.
The RCM will join with key organisations including Maternity Mental Health Alliance, Working Families, Maternity Action, Fawcett Society, CBI, Aviva, ACAS to share their work on maternity discrimination and discuss how families can be supported at this crucial time.
Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee will host the roundtable discussion in Parliament on Wednesday 1st May, Maternal Mental Health Day.
Commenting Janet Fyle, Professional Policy Advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said ‘Being pregnant and having a baby can be a stressful time for many parents, without the added pressures of worrying about how to manage returning to work after maternity leave, and maintaining previous roles while juggling work and family life.
“We also believe that local policies developed in partnership with trade unions to support work life balance and promote flexible working are important to keeping parents and those with caring responsibilities in work.”
“The RCM supports proposals to extend current redundancy protection for six months after the maternity leave period has ended and as a priority we urge the government to support parents and by implication build our future generation.
Read RCM’s report ‘Every Mother Must get the help they need.'
More information on World Maternal Mental Health Day is available.
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Notes to editors
The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.
ENDS