On October 10th, World Mental Health Day shines a light on the importance of acknowledging our mental wellbeing and the experiences that influence it. The 2026 theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” emphasises how personal stories can strengthen understanding and drive better support.
Today, we are grateful to Ushma Baros for speaking about her experiences of pregnancy, postpartum wellbeing and the importance of feeling supported during major life transitions. As a participant on the Patient Entrepreneur Programme, Ushma is using her personal journey and professional expertise to help shape better support for families.
Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Ushma Baros, and I’m the Global Director of Digital Innovation at ViiV Healthcare, with a long‑standing career in driving innovation across the health sector. I’m passionate about improving how people experience care and supporting the mental wellbeing of others, and I’m currently developing this work further through the Patient Entrepreneur Programme. Outside of work, I’m a mum to two wonderful boys, and much of my motivation comes from wanting families to feel supported, informed and connected during the moments that matter most.
Can you share an experience that impacted your mental wellbeing or perspective, and what it taught you?
During my first pregnancy and postpartum period, I found that alongside the love and excitement, there were also moments of feeling overwhelmed. I began to notice signs of worry and anxiety affecting my day‑to‑day life.
To navigate those feelings, I turned to a combination of professional support, such as infant feeding teams, physiotherapy and text‑based therapy, to help me work through the worries that were on my mind, as well as the encouragement of my partner, family and friends, which helped me cope and gradually recover. I also found that other mums were incredibly open and supportive, and slowly realised how important it was to prioritise the things that protected my wellbeing.
When I became pregnant with my second child, I was determined not to feel as overwhelmed. With the benefit of experience, I began planning and preparing early, seeking professional support sooner and knowing exactly who I could talk to when things felt difficult.
If someone was in a similar situation and feeling overwhelmed, what would you want them to know?
Life transitions can bring both physical and emotional highs and lows, and it is always okay to talk about how you’re feeling. Sharing even a small worry with someone you trust can make a meaningful difference. And if you ever needed someone to listen, I would always be happy to do that, even if we’ve never met before.
One of the most grounding pieces of advice I’ve been given is to focus on the single action that would support your wellbeing today. Maybe it’s one thing that helps you feel a little more steady.
Would you like to share how your current work supports mental health awareness?
When I began planning for my second postpartum period, I realised that my own experience might be able to support other families too. Through the Patient Entrepreneur Programme, I’m now working with local mums and services in West London to help families navigate the postpartum period more confidently, from understanding what support is available to them, to staying connected with peers so they don’t feel alone during such a significant transition. My hope is that by making information clearer and conversations easier, families feel more supported both practically and emotionally.