New mothers grappling with postnatal depression (PND) may have found an unexpected yet powerful ally in their recovery: group singing classes. According to a major new study published on October 14, 2025, in the British Journal of Psychiatry and widely reported by BBC News, The Independent, and other outlets, these specially designed singing sessions offer a "long-lasting effect" in alleviating symptoms of PND, with benefits that persist well after the classes end.
The research, spearheaded by academics from King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) in collaboration with Breathe Arts Health Research, was both ambitious and timely. Nearly one in four mothers in the UK—about 24%—are affected by postnatal depression, often facing formidable obstacles in accessing conventional treatments such as psychological therapy or medication. The study’s authors argue that the stigma surrounding depression and practical barriers to care mean that alternative, more accessible interventions are urgently needed.
To put their theory to the test, the team enrolled 199 mothers with PND in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were split into two groups: one attended group singing sessions called Breathe Melodies for Mums (M4M), while the other participated in existing community-based mother and baby activities. The singing sessions were anything but ordinary. Mothers and their babies gathered in a circle, singing welcome songs and then branching out into lullabies, folk, and gospel tunes from around the globe. The music, performed in various languages and arranged in four-part harmonies, was accompanied by simple instruments—maracas, drums, and more—that both mothers and babies could play together.
As BBC News described, the sessions were meticulously designed to address the symptoms of postnatal depression. “I can’t stress enough how much this was a game changer for me,” said Holly, a 30-year-old mother who joined the program after her care coordinator’s recommendation. “At the very first session here, I walked in and I was like, ‘oh, this is my safe place’. Like, I’m safe here.”
Participants were reassessed at several intervals: six, ten, twenty, and thirty-six weeks. The results were striking. After ten weeks, both groups reported reduced symptoms. But the real breakthrough came in the long term. Only the mothers in the singing group continued to experience improvement at the twenty and thirty-six week marks. According to the researchers, these benefits were not fleeting; they lasted for at least six months after the sessions ended.
Dr. Rebecca Bind, research associate at King’s IoPPN and the study’s first author, emphasized the significance of these findings: “That’s really important because it shows that the singing intervention is not only effective in the immediacy for depression, but it has a long-lasting impact.” She also highlighted the program’s accessibility and suitability, noting, “At a time when the NHS is oversubscribed and under pressure to make every pound count, this intervention is a demonstrably good use of resources that has a powerful and long-lasting impact on the mothers, and potentially their babies.”
Indeed, the study found that mothers in the singing group were more likely to remain in the program and rated it as acceptable and appropriate. The cost per mother and baby ranged from £126 to £539, depending on the measurement method—a figure comparable to, or even lower than, alternatives such as educational programs, group therapy, or home visits. With NHS mental health services facing long waiting lists—some mothers reportedly waiting up to six months for assessment and up to a year for one-to-one treatment—this cost-effectiveness is no small matter.
But what is it about singing that makes such a difference? The published paper did not pinpoint a single cause, but the researchers have their theories. As Dr. Bind explained to BBC News, “I think part of it was women were in the presence of other mothers who were going through the same kind of experiences, even if they were not necessarily having to talk about it. And on top of that, the act of singing itself can have a very relaxing effect.”
Supporting this idea, a second stage of the analysis measured levels of the stress hormone cortisol in participants. Early results showed a "nice steady decline in those levels throughout the intervention period," according to Professor Carmine Pariante, the study’s senior author. The sessions also fostered a sense of community and connection—something often missing for new mothers. “Being a new mum is one of the loneliest times, because you’re sort of in this insular bubble,” Holly reflected. “Just being able to be with people who are also struggling, even though that’s not the focus of the session [is important],” echoed Jay, another participant. “You’re there, you’re having a great time and singing, but you know that these people are also experiencing what you’re experiencing.”
The benefits extended beyond the immediate group. Many mothers reported that the music and skills they learned in class became tools for managing stress at home. “I bring the singing back home with me so now I start humming when things get stressful, and I don’t even think about it, it just happens and I can cope,” shared Stella, a mother of two young children.
Melodies for Mums began in 2017 as a free weekly class in Southwark, south London, and has since expanded rapidly. It now serves 400 women each year across five London boroughs and offers online sessions nationwide. The program’s success has drawn attention beyond the UK: Breathe Arts Health Research has piloted sessions for young dads and has been commissioned by the World Health Organization to train teams in Denmark, Italy, Romania, and other countries.
Professor Pariante summed up the necessity of such interventions: “Unfortunately postnatal depression is a common illness experienced by many new mothers. While effective interventions like psychotherapy and medications can and do help, there are societal barriers due to the stigma that surrounds depression that mean other interventions are a necessity to ensure that these women can receive the support they need. Our study provides vital evidence that Breathe Melodies for Mums can offer an effective means of support that is also engaging and accessible.”
The findings have prompted calls for local health authorities to introduce similar programs, especially as the NHS continues to face resource constraints. As the research team concluded, “M4M had a long-lasting effect on symptoms of PND and was perceived to be more suitable than existing activities; thus, M4M represents a worthwhile investment for healthcare systems as an intervention for mothers experiencing symptoms of PND.”
For many mothers, the simple act of singing together has offered not just relief, but a renewed sense of connection, confidence, and hope—one song at a time.
