The MMHA is a coalition of 97 organisations – including the big mental health charities MIND and Rethink and all the Royal Colleges – that work alongside those who experiences problems during pregnancy and postnatally.
The charity has demanded more work over the so-called postcode lottery for mothers, partners, and babies – in which standards and access to suitable care and advice differs according to where someone lives in country.
Confirming the appointment Emily Slater, Director of the MMHA said: “On behalf of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance team and our 97 member organisations, I am thrilled to welcome Luciana Berger to the role of chair. Luciana has shown her deep commitment to improving the lives of women and families affected by perinatal mental illness and we look forward to working with her.”
Former Liverpool Wavertree Labour MP Ms Berger, now a member of the Liberal Democrats, has long been at the forefront of calls for improvements in mental health issues and for parity between mental and physical health.
A vice-president of the Jewish Leadership Council, Ms Berger was appointed Labour’s Shadow Minister for Mental Health in 2015 but resigned over concerns around antisemitism and other policy issues under Jeremy Corbyn.
Since July, Ms Berger has worked as head of public affairs for the firm Edelman UK.
