Extending the Impact of ACT-PNMH: Psychological Interventions for Perinatal Mental Health

Access to specialist perinatal mental health (PNMH) support remains limited for many women and birthing people experiencing anxiety and depression during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Our latest impact funding blog highlights how Dr Cerith Waters and colleagues are working with NHS and international partners to expand access to ACT- PNMH through their ACT For PNMH project. This is a Cardiff University developed intervention that is helping widen the availability of evidence based psychological support.

Perinatal anxiety and depression can have a significant impact on women, birthing people, babies and families.

ACT-PNMH is a psychological intervention developed by Cardiff University researchers to support women experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties and improve access to effective care during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Researchers worked with NHS and international partners to expand ACT-PNMH across Wales, England, Malaysia, Pakistan and the USA.

The project trained practitioners, translated materials into Urdu, developed culturally adapted resources, and supported knowledge exchange to help embed the intervention within healthcare services and reach new communities.

IAA funding enabled the team to extend the reach of the ACT-for-PNMH project beyond the original research.

The funding supported practitioner training, cultural adaptation and international delivery, helping embed the intervention within NHS services and expand its use in Pakistan, the USA and Malaysia.

The work has since been recognised through a Health and Care Research Wales Research Impact Award.

Further information

ACT-PNMH received the Health and Care Research Wales Research Impact Award in 2025 in recognition of its contribution to improving access to perinatal mental health support. https://healthandcareresearchwales.org/about/news/inspiring-welsh-research-awards

Read more:

https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/2990773-celebrating-innovation-and-impact-in-health-and-social-care-research

For more information about ACT-for-PNMH project, including training and implementation resources, visit the website: www.actforperinatalmh.com or contact Dr Cerith Waters ([email protected]).”

Animations available at: https://www.youtube.com/@ACTforPerinatalMH

Thank you to:

Dr. Nicholas Pang (lead for team in Malaysia)

Dr. Tracey Vozar (lead for team in Chicago)

Dr. Brie Khort (lead for team in Washington)

Thanks also to graphics and animations team: Dr. Abi Seabrook (graphics for the project) and Casey and Lucy (animations team)