The Maternal Mental Health Conference 2025, held on May 3rd at the Crowne Plaza Yas in Abu Dhabi, successfully convened clinicians, policymakers, community advocates, and women with lived experience to advance a critical national dialogue. Under the theme "Maternal Minds: Shaping Mental Health Services for Women and Families in the UAE," the conference, chaired by Dr. Giles Berrisford, provided a powerful forum to bridge clinical expertise, public health strategy, and community-led support.
The day commenced with a foundational Session 1 on Infant Mental Health and the Circle of Security, emphasizing the inseparable bond between maternal and child well-being from the earliest stages. This was powerfully followed by the conference's centerpiece: a "UAE Realities and Lived Experience Session." Featuring direct presentations from Laura Canty, Catherine Smith, and Ameera Salem Mubarak, this segment provided an invaluable context, grounding the day's clinical discussions in the authentic experiences of motherhood within the UAE's unique cultural landscape.
Session 2 elevated the discussion to a systemic level with a keynote address by Dr. Gertrude Seneviratne, OBE, on Public Mental Health and The Role of Maternal Mental Health Services. This strategic perspective was complemented by a formal Opening Ceremony from H.E. Dr. Fayeza Saif Alyafei of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, underscoring the governmental commitment to this priority. The session continued with essential clinical guidance from Dr. Giles Berrisford on the nuanced role of medication during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and a Lundbeck-sponsored symposium on managing complex comorbidities.
The afternoon shifted focus to practical implementation in Session 3: Service Development. Discussions mapped the current landscape of secondary mental health services and envisioned the future, including plans for a dedicated Mother and Baby Unit at Maudsley Health. The conversation expanded to include vital perspectives from community-led support networks and obstetric services, highlighting the essential roles of peer support, screening, and inter-service collaboration in building a cohesive care ecosystem.
The conference concluded with Session 4, addressing the critical topic of Trauma in Maternal Mental Health, ensuring that this sensitive but essential aspect of care was integrated into the broader framework. The day's proceedings reinforced that effective maternal mental healthcare requires a multi-pronged approach: robust clinical services, informed public health policy, strong community infrastructure, and, most importantly, a commitment to listening to and centering the voices of women themselves.
