Maltesers has been a partner of Comic Relief for over 10 years, and this Red Nose Day we are working together to support Maternal Mental Health projects in the UK.

Motherhood is a spectrum of emotions. It's ok to ask for help.

Alongside the joys of motherhood are also the harder parts, and this has only been heightened over the last 12 months.

It's important to talk about the fact that it can be tough, that sometimes it's difficult to cope, and that it is always ok to ask for help.

It is normal to have ups and downs, good days and bad days, but for some mums it can be serious. More than 1 in 10 women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or within the first year after having a baby. Many women are still too scared to speak out for fear of being judged or labelled and as a result, many struggle in silence and mental health issues go unrecognised, undiagnosed and untreated.

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, or want guidance on how you might spot signs in yourself or others visit the Maternal Mental Health Alliance https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/resources/mums-and-families/covid-19-looking-after-your-mental-health-during-pregnancy-and-after-birth/

With the right support, women can get better.

Comic Relief fund projects across the UK that aim to improve maternal mental health, reduce social isolation, and support the relationship between baby and parents. Comic Relief has been funding work in this area since 2010, and we know that with the right help, the outcomes for everyone can be positive.