On Sunday 11 October 2026, the Luxembourg Association of Midwives (Association Luxembourgeoise des Sages-femmes, ALSF) issued a press release in which it called for urgent improvements to perinatal mental health care in Luxembourg.
On the occasion of Mental Health Week, the ALSF emphasised that pregnancy and the period following childbirth can be accompanied by significant psychological difficulties, ranging from anxiety and exhaustion to severe depression and suicidal thoughts. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately one in five women experiences mental health problems during pregnancy or in the year following childbirth.
The ALSF is calling for the establishment of a specialised perinatal mental health centre in Luxembourg, offering multidisciplinary care tailored to the needs of women and families, with the possibility of inpatient admission together with their baby when the situation allows.
"Access to care must be immediate, without waiting times or financial barriers. No woman should have to forgo psychological or psychiatric care for financial reasons or wait several weeks before receiving appropriate help. Prompt and appropriate care can save lives. In the most serious cases, perinatal mental health conditions can have devastating consequences for the mother and her child. Immediate access to specialised care is therefore essential to prevent such situations and protect families," stressed the ALSF.
The ALSF also emphasised the importance of prevention, early detection and continuity of care provided by midwives, who play an essential role in supporting women and families, and stated: “Perinatal mental health is a public health priority. Every woman must be able to access prompt, specialised care that is fully covered, regardless of her financial situation.”
