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Luciana Berger appointed chair of leading mental health charity

The former MP says 'perinatal mental health is an urgent and pressing issue for the whole of society'

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Former MP Luciana Berger has landed a new role as chair of a leading mental health charity which works to support women and families during pregnancy and the first year of childbirth.

Ms Berger, 39,  will take up her voluntary role with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) at the start of next month after the appointment was confirmed by a unanimous vote at a virtual meeting of members on September 3.

She said:"“I am delighted to have been elected to serve as chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. Perinatal mental health is an urgent and pressing issue for the whole of society.

The standard of care women receive depends on their postcode, and this must end. I look forward to working with MMHA’s members to support women and families, improve standards, and press for world-class mental health services for women before and after the birth of their child.”

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.

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