Breathe Arts Health Research at TEDxNHS: The Science of Singing for Recovery from Postnatal Depression

Postnatal Depression: Why Aren’t We Talking About It More?

Postnatal depression affects 1 in 10 new mothers, yet it remains one of the most under-discussed aspects of maternal health. During her talk at TEDxNHS, Yvonne emphasised the intense pressure mothers feel in the early months—pressure to be joyful, to bond with their babies, and to “bounce back”—even when they may be grappling with PND symptoms, including isolation, sadness, and anxiety. These challenges can be compounded by barriers to accessing traditional mental health support, leaving many mothers feeling alone and unheard.

It is shocking that suicide remains the leading cause of maternal death within the first year after childbirth. This stark reality highlights why we must break the silence, advocate for better support, and create spaces where mothers can seek the help they need without fear of judgement or stigma.

The Science Behind Singing for Postnatal Depression

This is where our Breathe Melodies for Mums programme plays a pivotal role. Our group singing sessions for new mothers have been scientifically shown to be as effective, if not more so, than traditional interventions in treating postnatal depression. What’s more, the programme comes with fewer barriers to access, offering a supportive and non-judgemental environment for mums to improve their mental health.

Breathe Arts Health Research Melodies for Mums ©Richard Eaton

This isn’t just an idea—it’s a proven, evidence-based intervention that helps mothers improve their emotional and physical wellbeing in measurable ways. The programme was based on a 2017 research piece led by the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London in 2017. The research followed 134 mothers and showed that participation led to improvement in PND symptoms in 73% of women.

We’ve also recently concluded participation in a five-year study with Kings College London and University College London. 200 mothers took part and findings backed the original research piece in terms of the programme’s efficacy. Furthermore it showed that those improvements in maternal wellbeing were sustained six months beyond the end of the singing intervention. Clinical findings also evidenced an improved bond between mother and baby, with parent/child cortisol levels synchronised throughout the programme.

Hope Rising on the TEDx Stage

TEDxNHS was a perfect platform to share the progress we’ve made with Breathe Melodies for Mums. But beyond the talk itself, we also had the privilege of showcasing the power of music. At the end of Yvonne’s talk, she was joined on stage by one of our wonderful singing leaders and several mums from the programme, along with their babies. Together, they performed a song from the Breathe Melodies for Mums repertoire, offering a moving and powerful demonstration of how music can create connection, healing, and hope.

This moment wasn’t just about singing—it was about fostering community, about building something together, and about lifting the weight of isolation. As these mums sang, it was clear that the music had provided something priceless: a sense of belonging, confidence, and, most importantly, hope.

©TEDxNHS

A New Political Landscape for Maternal Mental Health

Since our TEDxNHS talk, perinatal mental health has moved into the public spotlight in a significant way, with political leaders now pushing for greater investment in maternal mental health services. Recently, Labour MP Laura Kyrke-Smith made a powerful statement in Parliament, driven by the tragic loss of her close friend, Sophie, who took her own life just ten weeks after childbirth despite repeatedly seeking help for anxiety.

Kyrke-Smith’s heart-wrenching experience, as she recalled her friend’s struggles, is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for improvements in perinatal mental health care. As Kyrke-Smith pointed out, access to mental health services for new mothers is still a “postcode lottery,” with disadvantaged women disproportionately missing out on support. Her call for improved mental health care in maternity services echoes the mission we have at Breathe: to make mental health support a core component of maternity care, ensuring that all mothers, regardless of their background, can access the help they need

The Future of Breathe Melodies for Mums

While the TED talk marked a significant milestone for us, it also reminded us that our work is far from done. The recent political momentum around maternal mental health only strengthens our commitment to expanding the reach of Breathe Melodies for Mums. We’re working towards scaling the programme internationally and expanding to include fathers, partners, and LGBTQ+ parents, all of whom can face low mood, anxiety and isolation after having a baby as well.

Our aim is to ensure that no one is left behind, and that everyone can access the support they need, when they need it most. Singing, as we’ve seen through our extensive research, can be a life-changing experience for parents, and we want to continue growing its use as a powerful tool for mental health recovery.

As we continue to grow, we’re also excited about the potential of our programme to inform national health policy. We’re taking part in the All-Party Parliamentary Group at the House of Commons next week, to discuss using singing protocols as a preventative tool for PND to benefit the NHS.

We believe that through initiatives like Breathe Melodies for Mums, we can contribute to creating an environment where the mental health of parents—particularly mothers—is treated with the same importance as their physical health.

Breathe Arts Health Research Melodies for Mums ©Richard Eaton

Moving Forward with Hope and Change

With recent political support and a growing recognition of the value of perinatal mental health services, we are more determined than ever to help make singing a part of the standard care for new parents. It’s a powerful tool that can heal, uplift, and create a sense of belonging in a way that is measurable and lasting.

We will continue to share the hope we witnessed on the TEDx stage—through music, through community, and through a collective effort to ensure that no parent feels isolated or unsupported. This is just the beginning, and we are excited for the future.

To learn more about our Breathe Melodies for Mums programme and how you can get involved, click here for more details.

Breathe Arts Health Research Melodies for Mums ©Richard Eaton