Motherhood – Not What You Expected?
Help us support mums in crisis as our new fundraising campaign shines a light on the side of Mother’s Day you don’t see on social media
We urgently need your help.
Funding cuts mean we are losing 20% of our
budget over the next 12 months. To continue supporting vulnerable mums, dads
and partners experiencing pre and postnatal mental health challenges, we need
to find an additional £150,000 over the next 12 months.
Without it, Birmingham parents could be left
without vital perinatal mental health care when they need it most.
Our campaign
Mother’s Day is framed as a celebration of
family life that makes mums feel appreciated and thankful for the joy of
motherhood.
However, for the one in four mothers who experience
perinatal mental health problems, it can be a painful reminder of the guilt,
shame and inadequacy they feel while struggling to cope.
To highlight that reality, our campaign,
‘Motherhood – Not What You Expected?’, tells the powerful stories of five
Birmingham mums who have struggled during pregnancy or their child’s early
life.
They feature in a series of short films
exploring issues ranging from isolation to suicidal thoughts – and explaining
how Acacia has helped them grow into happy, healthy mothers. The social media
clips will be released from the 10th of March in the five days
leading up to Mother’s Day 2026.
Among
the mums who have opened up on camera is Emma, 41, from Cofton Hackett, who
believes she ‘wouldn’t be here today’ without Acacia’s support.
The
mother-of-three said: “I started self-harming because I needed
control. And I thought about committing suicide – not because I didn't love my
children, but because I couldn't cope.
“That's not something you can burden your husband or mum with, but I
had Acacia.
“I was able to talk freely, without judgment. Without Acacia, I
wouldn’t be here today and my children wouldn’t have a mother. I owe them
everything.”
Why your donation matters
The
first 1,001 days of a baby’s life are critical to their development. When
mothers don’t receive the mental health support they need, the long-term impact
on families can be profound. Children of parents who experience mental health
issues are more likely to struggle with their own social and emotional
development.
Head of Fundraising Vicki Hook said: “We know
that suicide is a serious risk for new mothers with mental health issues.
They’re so vulnerable during that period and things can escalate really
quickly. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the first year after
pregnancy.”
Please
donate today
Your
donation, whether a one-off or through a regular monthly gift as an Acacia
Angel, makes it possible to offer essential services that bring hope and
healing to those in need.
Each contribution, no matter the size, helps to ensure that no family in crisis has to face their journey alone. Donate today and be a part of the transformation.